The Poetical Works of Mrs Hemans

An early twentieth-century Lansdowne Poets edition of The Poetical Works of Mrs. Hemans. With prefatory memoir and notes. Published by Frederick Warne and Co., London and New York, in 1897. Presented here in the publisher’s original decorative cloth binding. 

Felicia Hemans was one of the most widely read and celebrated poets of the nineteenth century, admired for her lyrical and narrative verse. Lansdowne Poets editions are collected for their decorative bindings and their role in popular late Victorian poetry publishing.

This includes a charming period prize inscription dated 16 April 1903 on the front endpaper, recording the book’s presentation to “Miss C. Brinkworth” for a Verse Competition, adding authentic Edwardian-era character.

The binding remains structurally sound and firm. The cloth shows general age-related toning and surface wear, consistent with handling and shelf age. Light rubbing is visible along the edges and corners, with mild wear at the spine ends. The decorative design and lettering remain clear and attractive. Internally, the book is complete. The endpapers display foxing and age toning. The portrait frontispiece is intact, and the text pages are clean overall, with light, even toning. Overall, a solid and presentable copy.