Longfellow's Poetical Works by Longfellow, H. W - 1883

London: George Routledge & Sons Ltd, 1883 964pp inc illustrations (including tissue-guarded frontis from Evangeline and vignette to title page of Longfellow's home) - This is the "Author's Copyright Edition" of the bard's poetry. This volume includes "83 illustrations by Sir John Gilbert, R. A., and other [unnamed] artists". It also includes "not only every poem printed in any other edition issued in England, but 86 copyright poems which can only be found" in this volume. <BR>According to Bob Speel on his "19th Century art" website, "Regarding Gilbert's illustrations... I particularly recommend his Poems of Longfellow, which contains some of his most arresting pictures." Gilbert was also arguably Shakespeare's best and most prolific graphic interpreter. Of Gilbert, <B><I>The Magazine of Art</b></i> said, "Though Sir John Gilbert practised art in many of its branches, it is only in one - and that not, in the public estimation, the one by which he defied the rivalry of all comers - that he showed himself head and shoulders above the draughtsmen of his time... It is in virtue of his achievements in black and white that he takes his place among the few masters, not of his age and country only but of all time, who, through the medium of the hand or printing press, have ranged themselves among the highest." It's been estimated that Gilbert did more paintings and illustrations of Shakespeare's works than any other 19th Century artist. <BR> This sumptuous volume's covers (blue cloth decorated with a facsimile signature in gilt and floral motif in colour to front and gilt titles to spine) has bevelled edges which are somewhat worn and is loose at front hinge. EPS are decorated (floral) with matching page edges. Textblock is immaculate except for inked inscription to FEP verso and light foxing throughout.. First Thus. Cloth. Very Good/No Jacket. Illus. by Gilbert, Sir John. 5 x 7.5".