The Faerie Queene by Edmund Spenser
A highly desirable 1853 edition of Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queene, published in London by G. Routledge & Co. This octavo volume presents Spenser’s celebrated allegorical epic in a single volume of twelve books, complete with a memoir of the author, letters, a comprehensive glossary and illustrations by the artist Edward Corbould.
The Faerie Queene is one of the great works of English literature and is regarded as one of the longest poems in the English language. Books I–III were first published in 1590, with Books IV–VI following in 1596. The poem is particularly notable for Spenser’s invention of the distinctive poetic form known as the “Spenserian stanza.” Spenser explores a series of moral virtues through the adventures of several knights, with a purpose of “fashion[ing] a gentleman or noble person in virtuous and gentle discipline.”
This 1853 edition is a substantial octavo volume containing all twelve books, together with a memoir of Spenser, letters relating to the author, a comprehensive glossary, and illustrations by Edward Corbould. The volume comprises pages v–820 and is complete with its engraved frontispiece, title page, and seven additional full-page wood-engraved plates throughout the text.
The bespoke binding of this book can be attributed a binder’s stamp of Ander & Son: the binding was privately commissioned. It is fully bound in leather and features gilt decoration to the spine, front and rear boards, with raised bands and gilt titling to the spine. The combination of raised bands and elaborate gilt tooling gives the volume an attractive and luxurious appearance.
The book has retained several handwritten ownership inscriptions, dated 1853 and 1865, providing a charming glimpse into its earlier provenance and ownership. These inscriptions add a personal element to an otherwise finely presented edition.
The book is in very good overall condition. There is some light wear to the front boards and spine, together with very slight foxing throughout. The binding of the opening pages is somewhat shaken, although the remainder of the binding remains secure and tight. There is also some pencilled underlining in the letters and opening pages. Aside from these points, the book remains well preserved and presents attractively.
It is being sold for £80.
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