Antique 1889 Edition – The Works of Alfred Lord Tennyson, Poet Laureate, with Photographic Illustrations by Payne Jennings
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A beautifully presented antique edition of The Works of Alfred Lord Tennyson, this 1889 volume is a richly illustrated collection of Tennyson’s celebrated poetry, featuring photographic plates by renowned photographer Payne Jennings. Published in London by Macmillan and Co., with an additional imprint from Suttaby & Co., Limited, this edition is a wonderful example of late Victorian book craftsmanship.
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Key Features:
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Date: 1889
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Publishers: Macmillan and Co. (London & New York) and Suttaby & Co., Limited, Ames Corner, London
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Illustrations: Includes several photographic plates illustrating key poems, each accompanied by a caption or quotation.
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Binding: Original leather binding with gilt titling ("Tennyson") on the front cover and decorative gilt edging around the boards.
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Endpapers: Elegant patterned endpapers with a Victorian floral motif in muted tones.
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Gilding: All page edges gilt.
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Contents: A comprehensive collection of Tennyson’s most famous works, including The Lady of Shalott, Lady Clara Vere de Vere, Boadicea, and The Lotus-Eaters among many others.
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Condition:
The book is complete, with all pages and illustrations intact.
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The spine shows significant wear and is partially detached from the text block, though the inner binding remains sound, and the book opens and reads well.
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The leather cover has general rubbing and wear, consistent with age, especially at the edges and corners.
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Pages show age-related toning and occasional spotting (foxing), as expected for a book of this vintage.
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One or more of the illustration plates have some light staining around the margins, but images remain clear.
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Dimensions: Approx. 18cm x 12cm x 3cm
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Notes: This edition is particularly desirable for its photographic illustrations by Payne Jennings, which add a distinctive visual element to Tennyson’s timeless poetry. Though the spine requires careful handling (or possible restoration), this book remains a beautiful and evocative piece of literary history—a perfect gift for a poetry lover, collector of Victorian books, or anyone with a passion for Alfred Lord Tennyson’s work.
