Earlier and Later Leaves or, An Autumn Gathering

Belfast, Ireland: Patrick Mallon, 1878. Hardcover. Near Fine. 12mo 7" - 7. A remarkably handsome little tome, likely an early reprint of or a simultaneously-published-by-a-different printer edition, also from 1878, having been rebound in dark green cloth, with sharp and distinct gilt lettering to spine. Very light foxing to and soiling of original endpapers, and new endpapers added. Black and white illustration of "The Belfast Man" at frontis. A fine collection of the Irish poet's best poems, he having been one of the "minor Victorian-era poets." Very lightly bumped spine head and foot. Francis Davis was born the son of a soldier in Ballincollig, County Cork. Another Irish bookseller notes that three different printings were considered firsts and sometimes with a printed-over ticket pasted on. A Wikipedia entry about him notes that his father was a Presbyterian from the north of Ireland, while his mother, Jane MacFee, was from Belfast. His father fought in the Napoleonic wars, his mother died when he was young, he was consigned to drudge-work at a loom as an apprentice, and when his father died he left for Belfast. He made a living as a weaver and poet thereafter. He was fluent in French, Latin, Greek and Gaelic, in addition to English.Member, I.O.B.A., C.B.A., and adherent to the highest ethical standards. Additional postage may be required for oversize or especially heavy volumes, and for sets.