{"product_id":"at-the-sign-of-the-lyre-austin-dobson-1st-edition","title":"At the Sign of the Lyre, Austin Dobson — 1st Edition","description":"\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication\u003c\/strong\u003e: London, Kegan Paul, Trench \u0026amp; Co., 1885\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormatting\u003c\/strong\u003e: 12mo, pp. [x], 233.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"6\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"6\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"7\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"7\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eCatalogue Note\u003c\/b\u003e This first edition is distinguished by its exquisite full morocco binding by the esteemed firm of Riviere \u0026amp; 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"8\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"9\"\u003eFirst published in 1885, \u003ci data-path-to-node=\"9\" data-index-in-node=\"31\"\u003eAt the Sign of the Lyre\u003c\/i\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Broadhursts Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54301964730707,"sku":"4469","price":149.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/1469\/6787\/files\/20260623_133255.jpg?v=1784001552","url":"https:\/\/broadhurstsbooks.com\/products\/at-the-sign-of-the-lyre-austin-dobson-1st-edition","provider":"Broadhursts Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}