POEMS

Philadelphia: Carey and Hart, 1847.. Large, thick octavo. Original decorated red moiré cloth, a.e.g. Illustrations by E. Leutze, "engraved by American artists." Some gilt stamping perished, neatly rebacked, with original backstrip laid down, plates a bit spotted, as usual, fore-tips worn, otherwise a good copy. First edition in this format (a reprint, save for the prefatory note "To the Reader," "The Stream of Life," and "The Waning Moon"). Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on a prelim: "To James Lawson Esq. from his much obliged friend The Author Dec. 1846." The recipient, James Lawson (1799-1880), was a Glasgow-born American author, editor, and insurance expert. In late 1815 he emigrated to New York and, having as a young man acquired an interest in literature, ". . . in 1821 he selected American writers for representation in John Mennons' 'Literary Coronal' and, later, for similar miscellanies. Duyckinck credits him with the introduction of the best American authors to the British public.... He was one of the committee with Bryant, Halleck, and others, which selected John Augustus Stone's 'Metamora' as the prize play for Forrest in 1829, and helped in a similar way to bring James K. Paulding's 'The Lion of the West', with its leading character, Nimrod Wildfire, to Hackett in 1831. One of his intimate friends was William Gillmore Simms whom he introduced to the Harpers and assisted in many literary and personal matters. . . Poe was also a friend and frequent visitor in Lawson's home. . . " - DAB. BAL 1633.