Written In English
6.75" H x 4.5" W x 1" D
This antique 1901 edition of The Poetical Works of Thomas Gray is a beautifully preserved example of an English school prize book, bound in rich deep blue full leather with bright gilt tooling and the Marylebone Grammar School crest on the cover. Published in London by George Bell and Sons and edited by John Bradshaw, this volume brings together Gray’s most celebrated poems including Elegy Written in a Country Church-Yard, Ode on the Death of a Favourite Cat, and Odes on Spring, Music, and more. The book opens with a steel engraved portrait of Gray with his facsimile signature and features stunning green and gold marbled endpapers, gilt dentelles, and all edges gilt which give it a luxurious feel that makes it perfect for display. Inside, readers will find an introduction, Gray’s biography, and both his English and Latin poems, making this edition appealing not only for decorative collectors but also for poetry lovers who appreciate a classic literary voice. With its elegant craftsmanship and Edwardian charm, this is a standout piece that brings history, poetry, and fine binding together in a compact and collectible format.
Condition:
This 1901 leather bound prize edition is in very good antique condition. The full blue leather cover shows light rubbing to corners and spine ends but retains strong color and bright gilt detailing. The hinges are secure and the spine is firm. The marbled endpapers are clean and vivid, and the gilt page edges remain shiny with only minor surface wear. The interior pages show gentle age toning consistent with a book of this age but are clean, crisp, and free of major foxing, tears, or annotations. The engraved frontispiece is sharp and well preserved. Overall, this is an excellent example of an early twentieth century prize binding that has been well cared for.
