THE RAVEN Edgar Allan Poe
Illustrated by John Rea Neill
The Reilly & Britton Co. Chicago 1910
First edition thus. Stated Copyright 1910 by The Reilly and Britton Company. Includes Annabel Lee and The Bells; both enigmatically illustrated. And, an essay from Poe entitled "The Philosophy of Composition". Dark green cloth boards, dramatic pictorial cover plate, crisp stylish gilt spine titles, moderate shelf, spine wear, rub, bump. Thick heavy stock coated pages, very good. Stylish antiquarian inscription pencilled at front blank endpaper: "To Rose from Lewis, Christmas - 1910." Bright gilded top edge. String-bind, near fine; hinges intact.
Illustrated throughout by John R. Neill of The Wizard of Oz fame in monochromatic blue and black motif with ornate borders, devices, decoration. Features striking pictorial endpapers of Raven on branch with background subconscious scene of Poe's character rising to be encapsulated by oversized wings of Pallas and raven. Each page features intriguing design, drawings. Introduction by Drury Underwood. A rare near very good first edition of superb bookcraft. Attractive example of this rare edition and cover art. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" Tall. 110 pages. Insured post.
"The Bells" is a heavily onomatopoeic poem which was not published until after Poe's death in 1849. Perhaps best known for the diacopic (repetitive) use of the word "bells." The poem has four parts to it; each growing darker and darker as the poem moves from "the jingling and the tinkling" to the "moaning and the groaning" of the bells.
"Annabel Lee" is the last complete poem composed by Edgar Allan and explores the mourning loss of a beautiful beloved. The narrator, who fell in love with Annabel Lee when they were young, has such a fervent love for her that even angels are envious. The inspiration for this piece was most likely Poe's wife Virginia Eliza Clemm who was the last of his tragic loves lost. Written in 1849, it was not published until shortly after Poe's departure that same year.
Edgar Allan Poe's hazy narrative begins on a night in December when "The Raven" haunts the unnamed narrator who sits reading "forgotten lore" to sublimate the loss of his love, Lenore. A "rapping at his chamber door" reveals nothing, yet excites his soul to "burning". A similar rapping, slightly louder, is heard at his window. When he investigates, a raven enters his chamber. Paying no attention, the raven perches atop a bust of Pallas high above the door.
Amused by the raven's comically serious disposition, the man asks that the bird tell him its name. The raven's only answer is "Nevermore". The narrator is surprised that the raven can talk, though at this point it has said nothing further. The narrator remarks to himself that his "friend" will soon fly out of his life, just as "other friends have flown before". The raven responds again with "Nevermore". The narrator reasons that the bird learned the word "Nevermore" from some "unhappy master" and that it is the only word it knows.
Regardless, the narrator pulls his chair directly in front of the raven, determined to learn more. He thinks for a moment, and his mind wanders to his lost Lenore. He thinks the air grows denser and feels the presence of angels, and wonders if God is sending him a sign that he is to forget Lenore. The bird again replies in the negative, suggesting that he can never be free of his memories. The narrator becomes angry, calling the raven a "thing of evil".
Finally, he asks whether he will be reunited with Lenore in Heaven. When the raven responds with its typical "Nevermore", he is enraged, and, calling it a liar, commands the bird to return to the "Plutonian shore", - but it does not move. The narrator's final admission is that his soul is trapped beneath the raven's shadow and shall be lifted "Nevermore".
