***SIGNED BY JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER*** BEAUTIFUL VICTORIAN FINE FULL TREE BARK LEATHER BINDINGS!
OVERALL CONDITION: VG+
ALL 7 VOLUMES IN VERY GOOD+ OR BETTER CONDITION.
1888 - The Complete Writings of John Greenleaf Whittier
Inscribed, dated and signed by John Greenleaf Whittier on letter adhered to a front free end paper. Set published in 1888 by Riverside Press in London. Large Paper limited edition #257 out of only 400. Collated and complete in 7 volumes. Octavo, 8.5” x 5.5.” Tissue-guarded frontispiece in first five volumes.
Fine original Victorian English full tree bark leather boards and calf leather spine and double filets with intertwined scrollwork paneling. Gilded slightly raised five-ribbed spine with gilded compartment decoration and bordering. Each volume has one black and one red morocco leather spine label with gilt lettering. All edges gilt. Flora decorated marbled endpapers with gilt dentelles. Thick, high-quality paper used for the leaves.
ABOUT THE POET & ABOLITIONIST
John Greenleaf Whittier (December 17, 1807 – September 7, 1892) was an American Quaker poet and advocate of the abolition of slavery in the United States. Frequently listed as one of the fireside poets, he was influenced by the Scottish poet Robert Burns. Whittier is remembered particularly for his anti-slavery writings, as well as his 1866 book Snow-Bound.
Highly regarded in his lifetime and for a period thereafter, he is now largely remembered for his anti-slavery writings and his poems Barbara Frietchie, "The Barefoot Boy", "Maud Muller" and Snow-Bound.
In 1833, Whittier published the antislavery pamphlet Justice and Expediency, and from there dedicated the next twenty years of his life to the abolitionist cause. The controversial pamphlet destroyed all of his political hopes, as his demand for immediate emancipation alienated both Northern businessmen and Southern slaveholders, but it also sealed his commitment to a cause that he deemed morally correct and socially necessary. He was a founding member of the American Anti-Slavery Society and signed the Anti-Slavery Declaration of 1833, which he often considered the most significant action of his life.
CONDITION DESCRIPTION:
All 7 volumes are strongly bound with square spines, firm hinges and joints and tight pages. The boards are colorful and unfaded but bowed/starting to bow. The spines are sunned, rubbed, dry and cracking. Crown and heel of spine and corners show rubbing and some fraying. Rubbing along joints. Internally NF to FINE - no foxing or writing internally. Quite clean overall with bright white pages. Two former owner bookplates on front endpapers of each volume. Gilded edges are shiny and vibrant and a little dusty along top edge.
***Overall, a beautiful fine full leather limited Large Paper edition set with a signed, personalized note from John Greenleaf Whittier!***
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