c1885 The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe / Griffith & Farran, London / Engraved Illustrations by W.L. Taylor / In Good Condition / Scarce Copy

In good condition, here is an atmospheric, scarce antique copy of The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe. Undated but would have been published around 1885 by Griffith & Farran, London. A slim decorative volume, illustrated throughout with engravings by W.L. Taylor, with decorative front board and gilt edged pages.

"The Raven" was first attributed to Poe in print in the New York Evening Mirror on January 29, 1845. The poem is often noted for its musicality, stylized language, and supernatural atmosphere. It tells of a distraught lover who is paid a mysterious visit by a talking raven. The lover is lamenting the loss of his love, Lenore. Sitting on a bust of Pallas (as shown on the cover of this copy), the raven seems to further antagonize the protagonist with its constant repetition of the word "Nevermore". The poem makes use of folk, mythological, religious, and classical references.

Its publication made Poe popular in his lifetime, it remains one of the most famous poems ever although it did not bring him much financial success.

Inside the pages are clean and tightly bound with just the odd spot or blemish. The first and last pages have considerable tanning, with a nick to the top of the front free endpaper. There is an elegantly inked inscription on the front free endpaper dated January 1896, and this has ghosted onto the first tanned illustrated page (as shown in photos). These are really the only condition points with the contents which are otherwise very good indeed for a book of this age. All edges are shiny gilt.

Brown cloth covered boards have black and gilt stamped decoration to the front, a blind stamped border on the back, and bevelled edges. With just a few very minor condition points to note being two pin prick-sized holes to the surface of the cloth on the front (just the very surface only), a faint scuff near the bottom of the front board, and with some rubbing to the cloth at the spines ends and the corners.

A super example of a scarce version of the poem. Your antique copy of The Raven will be wrapped with care in tissue and ribbon* and sent well packaged. I am always happy to include a gift message in the parcel if desired.

H 21.5 cm x W 17 cm, 32 pages, 0.34 kg. I dispatch worldwide daily from the UK. (There are just a very few countries which I am unable to ship to).

* If you would prefer for your book not to be decoratively wrapped but sent simply in the protective packaging please add a note to the order.

You can follow my regular news and updates on Instagram @bumperboxofdelights