Aurora Leigh by Mrs. Browning, [Elizabeth Barrett Browning] Published by W. B. Conkey, Chicago. 335 pages. circa 1890s 5” wide x 7 1/4” tall.
This is a beautiful book with padded leather cover, gold gilt page edges and gold title on front and spine. The cover is dark red or a deep maroon color, my photos are making it look brighter red than it really is, sorry about the operator error.
The front also has a pretty Victorian design, also in gold, that looks like thistle flowers. There is just a minor bit of wear on the edges.
The binding is intact and good. The endpapers have an intricate floral toile-type design in blue and white with an etching-type art style. The title page has a beautiful early art deco sort of design printed in green and purple. The green ink is shiny like foil, though I’m not sure how that would have been accomplished 100 years ago! This is just a stunning piece of work, both in the way the book is constructed – and the poetry inside. This book has a unique mystery printers mark at the very bottom right corner of the page.
There’s no copyright date. I’m not an expert, but I suspect this is an early first US edition. The fact that she uses her married name “Mrs. Browning” makes me think this is an early edition from a proper English Lady. One of her most famous novels.
The title page and the illustration have separated from each other, but are still attached to the book. The endpapers have a wonderful Victorian floral design in both front and back and are intact. The pages are clean, uncreased, no tears. I’d rate this book is in fine to very fine condition! This would make a very romantic gift.
