Antique Leather Book Set “Eliz. Barrett Browning’s Poetical Works” 1884

✒️ Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Poetical Works — First American collected edition in five volumes, published in 1884 by Dodd, Mead and Company, New York. A complete set in period-correct half-leather binding with marbled paper boards and gilt edges, featuring a frontispiece engraved portrait of Browning in Volume I.

QUICK FACTS

• Author: Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–1861), English Victorian poet
• Publisher: Dodd, Mead and Company, New York
• Year: 1884 (MDCCCLXXXIV) — First American collected edition
• Format: Five octavo volumes in half-leather with marbled paper boards
• Pages: ~290; 299; 296; 397; 392 (1,674 total) | Imprint: Printed by Theo. L. DeVinne and Co.
• Condition: Very Good- to Very Good — see full report below

THE STORY

Elizabeth Barrett Browning was among the most celebrated English poets of the Victorian era, admired by contemporaries including Robert Browning, whom she married in 1846. Her work ranged from the intimate love poems of “Sonnets from the Portuguese” to the ambitious verse-novel “Aurora Leigh,” now recognized as an early feminist text. This five-volume collected edition gathers the full sweep of her poetic output, including her translations of Aeschylus’s “Prometheus Bound” and other Greek drama.

THIS EDITION

The 1884 Dodd Mead edition is the first American collected edition of Browning’s poetical works. A separate limited run of 150 numbered copies was printed on Holland paper (with 2 additional copies on vellum and 20 additional copies), but the trade edition — like this set — was produced in the standard half-leather binding with handmade marbled paper. Published by Dodd, Mead and Company, one of New York’s premier literary publishers from 1839 through the mid-20th century. The firm was founded by Moses Woodruff Dodd and later led by his son Frank Howard Dodd, who built the company into a major force in American publishing.

COVER ART & BINDING

Each volume features deep oxblood-red leather spines and leather board corners, with handmade marbled paper applied to the front and back boards in a diamond pattern — swirling gold, brown, and subtle green tones against a reddish-brown ground. The spines display the title “ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING’S POETICAL WORKS” in gold-stamped serif lettering, with volume numbers in Roman numerals (I through V) and “NEW YORK 1884” at the tail. Raised horizontal bands divide the spines into traditional panels. The top page edges are gilt; the endpapers feature rich handmade marbling in deep red, black, and gold swirls. Volume I contains a striking engraved portrait frontispiece of Mrs. Browning, protected by a vellum tissue insert.

WHY IT MATTERS

• First American collected edition — a significant publishing milestone for one of the Victorian era’s most important poets
• Provenance: This set originated from the personal estate of Mrs. Robert Hoe Dodd, whose husband was the son of Moses Woodruff Dodd, founder of Dodd, Mead and Company — making these volumes connected to the publisher’s own family
• An original Victorian calling card reading “Mrs. Robert H. Dodd, with best wishes” was found tucked into Volume II, further confirming the Dodd family connection
• Includes Browning’s translation of Aeschylus’s “Prometheus Bound” alongside her original verse

FREQUENTLY ASKED

What edition is this? First American collected edition, published 1884 by Dodd, Mead and Company, New York. Printed by Theo. L. DeVinne and Co. Five octavo volumes.

What condition is it in? Very Good- to Very Good. Bindings are tight, all board hinges intact, no loose or torn pages. Leather spine heads on Volumes I, III, and IV are chipped (Volume IV most so). No writing or markings. See full condition report below.

Is the calling card included? Yes — the original Victorian calling card of Mrs. Robert Hoe Dodd is included with the set.

FOR COLLECTORS

A complete five-volume set with Dodd family provenance is unusual. The connection between the book’s publisher and its original owner — the founder’s daughter-in-law — gives these volumes a story that goes beyond the pages. Combined with the period binding and calling card, this is a set with documented history.

“Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Poetical Works” by James Richardson, published in 1884 by Dodd, Mead and Company.

From the personal estate of Mrs. Robert Hoe Dodd (?), includes her antique Victorian calling card, which I found tucked in the second volume upon inspection after purchasing these in a town just 45 miles north of the Publisher’s headquarters in New York City.

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Hoe Dodd were the son and daughter-in-law of Dodd, Mead’s founder, Moses Woodruff Dodd, Mr Robert living from 1848-1934.The inclusion of the calling card would indicate that this lovely book set was either the property of Mrs. Dodd or that they were gifted from the Robert Dodd’s to someone else. In any case, super fun!

This is a complete set of 5 leather bound volumes featuring leather spines and board corners, with handmade marbled paper on the covers and in the end papers, gilt upper block edge. Volume I has a striking etched portrait of Mrs. Browning with vellum protecting insert opposite the title page. These books are “very good -” to “very good”, no loose, torn or folded pages. No writing. The bindings on all volumes are tight, all board hinges are intact, none are split. The books are all intact, with no significant flaws. Volume I, III, and IV have their leather spine heads chipped, with IV being the most so.

Gorgeous set, complete. See accompanying images for complete condition details.

Will look amazing on your mantle, bookshelf, office or as a gift!

Will ship in two boxes, carefully packaged.

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