Poe, Edgar Allen, and John Tenniel (illustrator) | With original drawings and an autograph letter

Property from the Library of John M. Schiff

Poe, Edgar Allen, and John Tenniel (illustrator) 

The Poetical Works of Edgar Allan Poe. With Original Memoir. London: Sampson Low, Son & Co., 1858

8vo (214 x 142 mm). Autograph letter by John Tenniel laid down on integral blank, half-title, title-page, with the original drawings, and the tracings for the engraved plates, by Tenniel inlaid on sheets inserted opposite the plates, excepting the final plate, numerous additional engraved illustrations throughout by F.R. Pickersgill, Birket Foster, Felix Darley, Jasper Cropsey, P. Duggan, Percival Skelton, and A.M. Madot, numerous engraved publishers' devices; stray spots. Bound by Rivière in full red morocco, spine in 6 compartments, second and third gilt lettered, others with repeat gilt motif, boards triply ruled in gilt, board edges gilt, inside dentelles gilt, all edges gilt, green silk endpapers; upper board and first quire cleanly detached but present, rear hinge a little loose with some wear along joint, slight rubbing at head and tail of spine. Housed in a custom marbled slipcase.

The first illustrated edition of Poe's poetical works, with original drawings and an autograph letter by John Tenniel

Tenniel contributed the illustrations for undoubtedly the most famous of Poe's poems, "The Raven." The autograph letter from Tenniel, bound here prior to the text, states: "Dear Sir, I will make a drawing for 'The Roman City' but cannot possibly say when. I am now at work upon these designs for the 'Pythagorean'— The first drawing I hope to finish tomorrow. No. 2 will be ready next week, & No 3 the week following. Yours very truly, J. Tenniel." Also included the artist's original drawings, as well as the tracings for the engraved plates, which reveal compelling variations in the artist's approach to portraying the feelings of the poems' characters and atmosphere. Already rare in its own right, this volume is made even more desirable through the inclusion of these additional materials.

REFERENCE:

BAL 16211

PROVENANCE:

Rudolph August Witthaus (red morocco bookplate to flyleaf)