Firdausi in Exile and Other Poems *Finely bound by R.W. Smith*

Gosse, Edmund

Published by Kegan Paul & Tench Co., London, 1885

About this Item

Printed at the Chiswick Press, and finely bound by R. W. Smith whose signature is pallet stamped to the ffep. Hard cover, 16 mo (measuring 3 ¾ x 6 ¼ inches) in a contemporary fine binding done in full tan morocco, ruled in gilt, with five raised bands to the spine, ruled gilt with terminal gilt dots on the bands, the title upon a red leather label, and publication date upon a black leather label at foot of spine, 224 pp. The gold, taupe and white marbled endpapers are highlighted with decorated dentelles, rolled with both an attractive tulip, and shark-tooth, pattern in gilt. The text, upon laid paper, features a title page printed in black and red. Top edge gilt, others untrimmed. CONDITION: Very Good Plus, or better. The book is clean, tight, and bright with minimal age toning to the fore and bottom edges, a touch of foxing only appearing to the tissue-guard and frontispiece engraving. Very slight darkening of spine. A couple of small nicks to edges of binding. In all, though, a lovely item with an understated detail to craftsmanship. British bookbinder, R. W. Smith, would soon thereafter be among the first to be employed at New York's Club Bindery in 1898, which was founded to serve the repair and rebinding needs of the Grolier Club. Several examples of his binding work (including this shark-tooth roll) can be seen online at the Folger library. English Poet Edmund Gosse ( 1849-1928). Watson 1432. Seller Inventory # 8608

Bibliographic Details

Title: Firdausi in Exile and Other Poems *Finely ...

Publisher: Kegan Paul & Tench Co., London

Publication Date: 1885

Binding: Hard Cover

Condition: Very Good Plus

Edition: First Edition.