A Collection of Works in 34 Volumes

A collection of FIRST EDITIONS of novels, poetry and criticisms by Algernon Swineburne, finely bound by Worsfold in polished green calf, boards ruled in gilt, title gilt to red morocco labels, raised bands, compartments and turn-ins richly gilt with floral motifs heightened with red morocco, t.e.g., 8vo, London, [1860-1896]

The collection comprises: The Queen-Mother. Rosamond, First Ed., first issue with Pickering title, [Wise suggests that less than 20 copies were published with this title], errata, 8vo, London, Basil Montagu, 1860;

Chasteland; A Tragedy, First Ed., 8vo, London, Edward Moxon, 1865;

Atalanta in Calydon, First Ed., [one of 100 copies], 4to, London, Edward Moxon, 1865;

Poems and Ballads, First Ed., [with the cancel-leaves on stubs as called for by Wise], without half-title as issued, light foxing to prelims, 8vo, London, Edward Moxon, 1866; A Song of Italy, First Ed., 8vo, London, John Camden, 1867;

Songs Before Sunrise, First Ed., 8vo, London, F.S. Ellis, 1871;

Under the Microscope, First Ed., original paper wrapped preserved, 8vo, London, D. White, 1872;

Le Tombeau de Theophile Gautier, First Ed., title in red and black, 4to, Paris, Alphonse Lemerre, 1873;

Bothwell: A Tragedy, First Ed., 8vo, London, Chatto and Windus, 1874;

George Chapman, First Ed., 8vo, London, Chatto and Windus, 1875;

Essays and Studies, First Ed., 8vo, London, Chatto and Windus, 1875;

Songs of Two Nations, First Ed., 8vo, London, Chatto and Windus, 1875;

Erechtheus: A Tragedy, First Ed., 8vo, London, Chatto and Windus, 1876;

A Note on Charlotte Bronte, First Ed., 8vo, London, Chatto and Windus, 1877;

Poems and Ballads: Second Series, First Ed., 8vo, London, Chatto and Windus, 1878;

The Heptalogia or the Seven Against Sense, First Ed., 8vo, London, Chatto and Windus, 1880;

Songs of the Springtides, First Ed., 8vo, London, Chatto and Windus, 1880;

A Study of Shakespeare, First Ed., 8vo, London, Chatto and Windus, 1880;

Studies in Song, First Ed., 8vo, London, Chatto and Windus, 1880;

Mary Stuart A Tragedy, First Ed., 8vo, London, Chatto and Windus, 1881;

Tristram of Lyonesse and Other Poems, First Ed., 8vo, London, Chatto and Windus, 1882;

A Century of Roundels, First Ed., 4to, London, Chatto and Windus, 1883;

A Midsummer Holiday and other Poems, First Ed., 8vo, London, Chatto and Windus, 1884;

Marino Faliero A Tragedy, First Ed., 8vo, London, Chatto and Windus, 1885;

Miscellanies, First Ed., 8vo, London, Chatto and Windus, 1886;

A Study of Victor Hugo, First Ed., 8vo, London, 1886;

Locrine A Tragedy, First Ed., 8vo, London, Chatto and Windus, 1887;

A Study of Ben Jonson, First Ed., 8vo, London, Chatto and Windus, 1889;

Poems and Ballads: Third Series, First Ed., 8vo, London, Chatto and Windus, 1889;

The Sisters A Tragedy, First Ed., 8vo, London, Chatto and Windus, 1892;

Grace Darling, ONE OF 30 COPIES ONLY, First Ed., Forman-Wise piracy , limitation page with pencil correction, 4to, London, Printed only for Private Circulation, 1893;

Astrophel and Other Poems, dedicated to William Morris, First Ed., 8vo, London, Chatto and Windus, 1894;

Studies in Prose and Poetry, First Ed., 8vo, London, Chatto and Windus, 1894;

The Tale of Balen, First Ed, slight foxing, 8vo, London, Chatto and Windus, 1896.

Algernon Charles Swinburne (1837-1909) was an English poet and critic known for his outstanding prosodic innovation. He was born into a wealthy family in London and studied at Eton and Balliol College, Oxford, but left without completing a degree. While there he met William Morris, Edward Burne-Jones and Dante Gabriel Rossetti and was attracted to the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.

Swinburne became a symbol of the Mid-Victorian poetic revolt, passionately antitheist and rebelling against the conservative values popularised during the Industrial Revolution. His work brought instant notoriety in 1866 when he published ‘Poems and Ballads’. The work delighted some and shocked many for the explicit and often pathological sexual themes of his early poetry. However the most important quality of Swinburne’s work is an intense lyricism. The highly individual poetic style uses insistent alliteration, a great variation of pace and stress and evocative if rather imprecise use of imagery. Even his critics commended his command of rhythm and sheer melodiousness.

Swinburne’s early work was always considered his best. However, since the mid-20th century commentators have been offering new assessments of Swinburne’s entire career. Forgoing earlier dismissals of Swinburne’s voluminous later writings and re-examining individual poems strictly on their own merit, critics have identified works of great power and beauty from all periods of his career.