Enoch Arden, Etc., Alfred Tennyson — 1st Edition

£40.00

Enoch Arden, Etc., Alfred Tennyson — 1st Edition

Name: Enoch Arden, Etc., Alfred Tennyson — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5716
Price: 40.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Edward Moxon & Co., 1864

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [viii], 178, plus an 8-page publisher's catalogue.

Condition Report: Good. The original green publisher's cloth remains largely intact but displays the expected signs of moderate wear and use for a mid-nineteenth-century volume. The spine has significantly sunned and browned, exhibiting noticeable fading, bumping, and rubbing that culminates in minor fraying at the head and tail. The boards show general scuffing, historical spotting, and rubbed edges, whilst the corners are noticeably bumped. The binding maintains its structural integrity and remains functional, with no major tearing or detaching elements. Internally, the uncut text block edges are predictably dust-soiled and age-toned, yet the pages themselves remain predominantly clean and tidy, ensuring this historic copy remains a highly legible and complete specimen despite its exterior aesthetic flaws.

Catalogue Note: This is a true first edition, distinguished by the inclusion of the eight-page publisher's catalogue inserted at the front of the volume, which aligns with the earliest issues of the text.

Bound in the publisher's original blind-stamped green cloth, the book features distinctive gilt lettering on the spine and the central blind-stamped device on the boards. Issued without illustrations, this volume represents the unadorned, foundational presentation of the Poet Laureate's work to the Victorian public.

Because the initial print run was exceptionally large (estimated at around 60,000 copies) this specific edition remains highly common on the open antiquarian market today. Nevertheless, securing a copy that has survived in its unadulterated, original binding without modern restoration or rebinding retains an enduring appeal for collectors of Victorian verse.

A cornerstone of Victorian narrative poetry, Enoch Arden is a sweeping, tragic tale of love, loss, and profound sacrifice that cemented Alfred Tennyson’s status as the definitive literary voice of his generation. The poem follows the harrowing journey of a merchant sailor who, after being shipwrecked and marooned on a desert island for a decade, finally returns home only to discover his beloved wife happily remarried to his childhood rival. Rather than shatter her hard-won peace, Enoch makes the ultimate, heartbreaking choice by concealing his identity until his dying breath. This emotional epic captured the public imagination immediately upon release, reflecting the era's deep-seated anxieties surrounding maritime exploration, domestic duty, and the fragile nature of Victorian marital ideals.

Book Condition: Good

Book Authors: Alfred Tennyson

Book Publisher: Edward Moxon & Co.

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: Poetry

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 186

Book Publication Year: 1864

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Original Cloth

Illustrator: N/A

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.