A richly bound Victorian edition of George Crabbe’s Poetical Works, published in London by Charles Daly and dated closely by the prize label to 1858. This copy has real shelf presence with its deep red decorative binding, bright gilt tooling, raised bands, and fully gilt page edges. It also includes engraved illustrations throughout, including a portrait of Crabbe and scene plates that give the volume the look collectors want in a mid-Victorian gift or school prize book.
Crabbe was admired for writing poetry that paid close attention to ordinary life, especially English village life, social struggle, work, poverty, and character. That realism made him an important and unusual voice in English literature, and later writers including Jane Austen valued his work. This edition adds a short life of Crabbe by A. C. Cunningham and was clearly meant to be both handsome and instructive, which fits its period perfectly.
What makes this particular copy more interesting is the 1858 Ashham Hall Academy prize label, awarded for “Orderly Habits and Tidiness.” That small piece of provenance gives the book a direct connection to Victorian school life and makes it more personal than a standard decorative copy. For buyers who enjoy literary classics, gilt Victorian bindings, and books with presentation history, this is an appealing example.
-
Language: English
-
Title: George Crabbe’s Poetical Works
-
Author: George Crabbe
-
Editor: Life by A. C. Cunningham, Esq.
-
Publisher: Charles Daly
-
Place of Publication: London
-
Publication Date: circa 1858
-
Edition/Series: Illustrated Victorian collected edition
-
Volume: Single volume
-
Binding: Red full leather prize binding with gilt decoration and raised bands
-
Features: Full gilt edges, decorative gilt spine and boards, school prize label, bookseller label
-
Illustrations/Plates: Engraved portrait frontispiece and additional engraved plates throughout
-
Provenance: Ashham Hall Academy prize label dated June 1858
-
Dimensions: 6.5" H x 4.5" W x 1.5" D
Condition:
Attractive antique condition with light to moderate age wear to the binding, including rubbing at the extremities and corners. Gilt remains bright and the book presents very well on the shelf. Text block is sound. Pages show expected age toning and occasional foxing or light handling wear. Illustrated plates appear present based on your review. Prize label to front pastedown and small bookseller label as shown. A solid, handsome Victorian leather binding with strong decorative appeal.
