TWO POEMS.
Pp. 16(last colophon); small demy 8vo; printed paper wrappers, stabbed and tied (the thread loosening), slightly soiled, edges a trifle creased, backstrip fold lightly worn and split; housed in a cloth portfolio within a qr. navy morocco and matching navy cloth slipcase, spine lettered and decorated in gilt compartments, slipcase corners slightly rubbed; Chapman & Hall, London, 1854. First edition. Barnes A9. *From the library of Julius Thompson Benedict and Cecille Murphy Benedict, with their roundel bookplate on the upper pastedown of the portfolio. The two poems are A Plea for the Ragged Schools of London by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and The Twins by her husband. An estimated 300 copies, each priced at sixpence, were printed for a fundraising bazaar. The Brownings paid the printing costs and donated sale proceeds to the ragged schools, which were charitable organisations dedicated to the free education of destitute children. According to Barnes and supported by Carter and Pollard, Thomas J. Wise modelled his forgeries on the format of this genuine nineteenth century pamphlet. Item #157023
Price: $1,500.00