At the Sign of the Lyre, Austin Dobson — 1st Edition

£149.50

At the Sign of the Lyre, Austin Dobson — 1st Edition

Name: At the Sign of the Lyre, Austin Dobson — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4469
Price: 149.50 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Kegan Paul, Trench & Co., 1885

Formatting: 12mo, pp. [x], 233.

Condition Report Near Fine. Bound in a handsome full crushed morocco, this volume remains remarkably tight and square, displaying only the most trivial hints of shelf-wear to the extreme corners and spine ends. The rich crimson leather has retained its colour beautifully, providing a striking contrast to the unoxidised, bright gilt lyre vignette on the upper board and the elegantly raised bands across the spine. The hinges are perfectly sound, and the original gilt dentelles to the inner turn-ins are immaculate. Internally, the pages are crisp and remarkably clean, entirely escaping the heavy foxing often found in nineteenth-century volumes, with the text block securely held and all edges finished in brilliant, unblemished gilt. A superlative, highly attractive example that comfortably justifies a Near Fine grade.

Catalogue Note This first edition is distinguished by its exquisite full morocco binding by the esteemed firm of Riviere & Son. Riviere bindings from this period are highly sought after for their exceptional craftsmanship, evident here in the fine grain of the leather, the elegant gilt dentelles, and the flawless application of the edge gilding.

The text opens with a delicate frontispiece illustration of a woman in an interior setting by E. A. Abbey, leading to a dedicatory address to Abbey and his fellow illustrator Alfred Parsons. While standard cloth-bound copies of this edition occasionally surface on the open market, encountering an example preserved in such a fine, bespoke Riviere binding is distinctly scarce and presents a highly desirable acquisition for collectors of Victorian poetry and fine bindings alike.

First published in 1885, At the Sign of the Lyre showcases Austin Dobson’s mastery of light verse and his deep affection for the elegant poetic forms of the eighteenth century. Dobson was a leading figure in the Victorian revival of French verse forms, such as the rondeau, triolet, and ballade, and this collection highlights his wit, grace, and technical precision. Filled with playful observations and delicate lyricism, the book captures the refined aesthetic of the era, offering readers a delightful window into late nineteenth-century literary sensibilities.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Austin Dobson

Book Publisher: Kegan Paul, Trench & Co.

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: Poetry

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 233

Book Publication Year: 1885

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover (Full Morocco)

Illustrator: E. A. Abbey

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.