POE, Edgar Allan (1809-1849)

[Collected Works in Original Cloth] The Works of the Late Edgar Allan Poe : with Notices of his Life and Genius . . . In Two Volumes; [offered with] The Literati : some honest opinions about autorial merits and demerits, with occasional words of personality together with marginalia, suggestions, and essays [Association Copies]

New York: J. S. Redfield, Clinton Hall, Nassau-Street, 1850. Decorative Cloth. Three First Editions (second printings of volumes 1 and 2, per BAL; first printing of volume 3) of the first collection of Poe's poetry and prose, edited by N. P. Willis, J. R. Lowell, and R. W. Griswold. Crown 8vo (185 x 113mm): xx,483,[5]; vi,[7]-495,[1]; xxxix,[1],607,[1]pp, with frontispiece portrait of Poe to volume one. Original purple elaborately blind-stamped T-cloth (also issued in black, blue, green-blue, and brown), spines lettered in gilt. Contemporary ownership inscriptions of Caroline Chesebro to each volume, dated in the year of publication, and of Robert H. Chesebro, dated Sept. 1923. An excellent matched set in original cloth, tightly bound (spines sunned but gilt bright) and generally clean throughout (light intermittent foxing to volumes one and two). BAL 16158 and 16159. Robertson, p. 289. Heartman & Canny, pp. 88-91. Tane, p. 99. Sabin 63522 and 63570. Near Fine+. Item #BB2806

Published as a two-volume set one year after Poe's untimely death, the first volume contains Poe's tales and the second his poems. The third volume, containing his criticism and including Rufus Wilmot Griswold's infamous memoir, a slanderous and inaccurate account of Poe's life, also appeared in 1850. A fourth volume (BAL 16161), with Arthur Gordon Pym and other prose works, intended as a companion to reprints of the first three, was not published until 1856. Caroline Chesebro (March 30, 1825 – February 16, 1873) was an American writer of fiction, including short stories and novels. Born "Caroline Chesebrough" but known by her preferred spelling of "Caroline Chesebro," she was founder of The Packard Quarterly. In 1848, she became a contributor to Graham's American Monthly Magazine, which Poe edited and in which he first published "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," now recognized as the first detective story. N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, carefully preserved in archival, removable mylar sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).

Price: $3,274.00