Poems

London: Edward Moxon, 1844 First edition, mixed issue as usual. First impression of Volume I, with "let the flood / of your salt scorn" to page 141. Second impression of Volume II, with the page numbers battered on pages 161 and 163, and with "the end'' to page 175. Publisher's green cloth, spines lettered in gilt and ruled in blind, boards decorated with embossed vine borders. Near fine, with some toning to the spines, a few tiny closed tears to the spine ends, spine head of Volume II rubbed and worn, clean bindings, former owner's bookplates to the front pastedowns, spines very lightly cracked inside the rear covers, otherwise sturdy spines and secure bindings, otherwise bright and fresh pages. A clean and pleasing set, free of any repairs or restoration. Housed in a custom light brown slipcase with dark brown morocco spine, with matching chemises. Published under her maiden name Elizabeth Barrett Barrett, Poems is a two-volume collection of Browning's poetry that includes "The Cry of the Children," "A Drama of Exile," and "Lady Geraldine's Courtship," among others. In Poems, Browning begins to feature strong female characters, a trend that would eventually lead to her 1857 masterpiece Aurora Leigh. Additionally, she recognizes poet George Sand, the pseudonym of French female author Amantine-Lucile-Aurore Dupi, whom Browning praised as "true genius" for her feminist writing and style. Notably, Poems gained the attention of poet Robert Browning, Barrett's eventual husband, whom she praises in one of the collection's poems. After reading Poems, Browning wrote Barrett a letter, beginning the correspondence of over 550 letters that led up to their marriage in 1846.. 1st Edition. Hard Cover. Near Fine.