1889 Volume "The Poetry and Song of Ireland"

Item Details

An 1899 edition of the volume The Poetry and Song of Ireland (copyright 1887). ‘Edited by John Boyle O’Reilly… with the publisher’s supplement to the second edition. The whole forming a standard encyclopaedia of Erin’s poetry and song; and a biographical portrait gallery of her poets. Illustrated with over one hundred choice engravings.’ Published by Gay Brothers, New York. The book features a stunning copperplate engraving in the front, of a beautiful young woman and the title, Rich and rare were the gems she wore. The book features portraits and images rendered in a number of types of intaglio printing, and features written and printed portraits, with poems, sacred song lyrics and ballads. The book has black blind stamped and tooled leather covers with gilt printed decoration, as does the spine, which has printed decoration of clover. The edges of the page block are marbled and the interior covers, front and back, are a green and white printed floral pattern.

Condition

- to fair. The book has been resident in several lending libraries, and carries ink stamps and ink-printed text to the frontispiece with those designations. It bears a black ink stamp to the bottom of the page block, “I.C.A. – Oldenburg, IND.” There is an affixed paper library label inside the back cover. The spine at the back cover is separated. The edges of the leather cover show wear consistent with age and use, and a tear to the front edge. Some loss of gilding.

Dimensions

Item #

16CIN034-176