POE, EDGAR ALLAN — [CHELONIIDAE PRESS] | The Raven. Easthampton, Massachusetts: Cheloniidae Press, 1980

POE, EDGAR ALLAN — [CHELONIIDAE PRESS]

The Raven. Easthampton, Massachusetts: Cheloniidae Press, 1980

2 volumes (including a chemise with suite of plates), folio (15 x 11 in.; 381 x 279 mm). Bound volume: title in red and black with integral wood-engraved vignette of a quill pen, text in black with one red initial, colophon leaf signed and numbered with text in red around a wood-engraved vignette of the Raven's head, 5 etched plates by Robinson, each titled and signed, 2 wood-engravings (duplicates of those printed on the title and colophon leaf) signed and numbered in pencil, printed on thin small format Kitakata paper. Black and red marbled rag paper-covered boards, backstrip gilt-lettered. Chemise: an additional suite of the 5 etched plates, unbound, signed, numbered and titled in pencil, extra-illustrated with an original pencil portrait of Poe signed by Robinson, an original pencil drawing of the raven's head signed by Robinson, 1p. printed prospectus signed in pencil by Robinson, 1p. note signed by Robinson on Cheloniidae Press headed note-paper. Original black cloth chemise. House together in original red morocco-backed black cloth box, spine gilt-lettered; some minor rubbing.

One of five artist's proofs with an extra suite of plates—copy with two additional drawings

In this copy the bound volume is numbered 5/100 and is signed by Robinson, the unbound additional suite of etchings is numbered 17/50, but as Robinson's typed note makes clear, this is actually one of only five "artists proofs" which can be recognized by the "red leather spine to the accompanying box."