Books

Hardcover. Bound in olive green cloth with beveled edge, gold lettering on the cover and spine. This copy is nice and clean and tight. Very minor fading to fringe at crown and foot of spine and board-corners less than razor sharp, but very good by any standard. Indian Pipes on the front cover. Lettering on the spine is virtually unreadable, even though the spine is not faded significantly darker than the boards. Title page dated 1891. Frontispiece tissue and 4-page facsimile of a poem in Dickinson's hand. Top edge gilt. 230 pages. Copyright page dated 1891 and no statement of any other editions. Page edges square. Some minor blooms of foxing here and there throughout, but overall very nice. According to Myerson's bibliography, there were 960 copies printed on October 21, 1891. It was issued in three different bindings; this one is Binding B (although no priority is given) in 'medium olive cloth'. The first printing sold very well, and the second printing (1,000 copies) came out less than a month after the first. Several textual changes make it very easy to differentiate from the first, including changing the date on the title page to 1892, even though it was still 1891 when it was printed. It continued to sell extremely well and was printed three more times before the end of 1891 (with the date 1892 on all those title pages). This is a lovely copy. Please email with questions or to request photos. If you see a photo beside this listing, please be aware that it's an ABE Stock Photo (whatever that is) and not a photo of this book.

"Poems" by John Keats, published in 1817, marks the initial foray of the celebrated Romantic poet into the literary world. This collection encompasses a diverse array of poems that encapsulate Keats's exploration of themes such as nature, beauty, love, and the transient nature of life. Among the notable pieces in this collection are Keats's renowned odes, including "Ode to a Nightingale," where he delves into the contrast between the immortal beauty of art and the transient nature of human existence. In "Ode on a Grecian Urn," he muses on the eternal nature of art and its ability to capture moments frozen in time. The collection also features his sonnets, showcasing Keats's skill in capturing complex emotions and sentiments in a concise yet evocative form. Poems like "On First Looking into Chapman's Homer" express his awe and exhilaration upon discovering Homer's works through the translation by George Chapman. Keats's appreciation for the beauty of the natural world is evident throughout the collection. His vivid descriptions and sensuous imagery in poems such as "To Autumn" paint a captivating picture of seasonal beauty, showcasing his ability to intertwine the human experience with the splendor of nature. The themes of love and desire permeate several of Keats's works in this collection. Poems like "Bright Star" express his longing for enduring love and immortal fame, while "La Belle Dame sans Merci" explores the enchantment and peril of romantic entanglement. "Poems" serves as a testament to Keats's remarkable poetic talent, displaying his mastery of language, vivid imagery, and profound exploration of universal themes. Although this collection initially received mixed reviews and modest recognition during Keats's lifetime, it has since solidified his reputation as one of the most influential and revered poets in English literature. His rich and evocative verses continue to resonate with readers, captivating them with their emotional depth and timeless beauty.