The Poetical Library with Morocco Case

Six volume set of English and American poetry contained in 'a Morocco [book]case with glass front' as described in The Gentlemen's Advertiser which originally offered the set at a guinea a piece in 1838. This set still boasts its original case (11.5x14cm) although the glass door has separated from its hinge leaving the original glass happily still intact. This is the cloth-bound issue of the little volumes of verse, all edges gilt, generally near fine as a result of being housed in the bookcase, a little foxing here and there. The Shakespeare volume was printed by Tyas, the rest by Warren with extracts from American poets including Longfellow; Peabody; Pierpont, Whittier and others - the American volume alone has a small mark to the upper cover. The original advertisement for these books suggests their purpose was as 'presents to juvenile readers' or to accompany long journeys. From their condition there is little evidence that this set ever left its snug little box.