BROWNING, ROBERT | Bells and Pomegranates. London: Edward Moxon, 1841-1846

The Property of a Gentleman

BROWNING, ROBERT

Bells and Pomegranates. London: Edward Moxon, 1841-1846

Eight issues bounds together, 8vo (6 x 9 1/2 in.; 152 x 240 mm). General half-title, eight titles; minor toning, minor soiling, general half-title removed from No. II, publisher's advertisements inserted before first leaf (B1) of Pippa Passes. Publisher's original black ribbed cloth, covers decoratively stamped in blind, spine gilt lettered; extremities rubbed, corners bumped with some loss, minor soiling. Custom quarter cloth over marbled board clamshell case.

First editions of all the parts, except the fifth, which is invariably encountered in

the form of the second edition 

One of Browning's most important books, the volume in which he perfected the dramatic monologue. Bells and Pomegranates includes "My Last Duchess," "The Pied Piper of Hamelin," and “Pippa Passes” also contains the often misunderstood and misappropriated couplet reflecting Pippa's innocent blindness: "God's in his heaven, All's right with the world!"

Rufus W. Griswold was a literary critic and biographer of Edgar Allan Poe.

REFERENCES

Hayward 253 (this copy exhibited)

PROVENANCE

Rufus W. Griswold (ownership signature to first page of advertisements) — Judith and Simon Nowell-Smith (booklabels to front pastedown)