Books

First edition of this very scarce early collected edition of Shelley's poetry, in the rare original boards. This Benbow piracy selects Shelley's poetry from various previously published editions, collecting mainly from the Posthumous Poems edition of 1824, but with some notable examples drawn from earlier publications. Except perhaps the Posthumous Poems, this piracy constitutes the first selected edition of Shelley, and contains such poems as "Hymn to Intellectual Beauty", "Lines on the Death of Napoleon", "Love's Philosophy", "Mont Blanc", "Mutability", "Stanzas Written in Dejection, near Naples", "To the Moon", and "To a Skylark". This edition is fairly well represented institutionally but is rare in the trade - only one copy is recorded at auction in this millennium, and indeed the last copy in boards was in 1984. Duodecimo (154 x 94 mm). Original boards, titles to front board in black, printed label to spine, untrimmed. Housed in a brown cloth slipcase and chemise. Boards slightly worn and soiled, front joint skilfully repaired, spine worn with minor loss to head, light browning and spotting to text block. A very good copy. .

"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.