Bibliotheca Classica;

London: Printed for T. Cadell in the Strand, 1792. BROWNING, Elizabeth Barrett. From the Library of Elizabeth Barret Browning. The top margin of the title-page is signed by Elizabeth Moulton-Barrett, 'E.M.Barrett'. On the front free endpaper is inscribed 'This book belonged to Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Being all to pieces, tied up by strong, it was rebound by Wells, the College Bookseller, Winchester. Her signature still remains — it was a pity, but had to be done. O. Moulton-Barrett, Southgate Hall, Winchester, 1874'. This book is listed in Kelley & Coley, number A1440.

Browning's copy of this second edition. Octavo (7 3/4 x 4 7/8 inches; 197 x 124 mm). It is quite rare to find books from her personal library.

Browning was a scholar of Ancient Greek studies and ost likely used this present copy in her studies and as reference when writing her translation of Prometheus Bound, Essays on the Greek Christian Poets and the English Poets, as well as her series of poems retelling the story of Metamorphoses by Apuleius about the lovers Cupid and Psyche.

Half nineteenth century calf over marbled boards. Rebacked with spine laid down. Boards tooled in blind. Spine stamped in gilt. Brown calf spine label, lettered in gilt. Top edge dyed brown others speckled red. Drab blue endpapers. Boards with some rubbing. Spine with some chipping and flaking. Title-page with a closed tear, neatly repaired. Leaf A2 with the fore-edge margin reinforced. Leaf A3 with bottom margin reinforced and top quarter of the page torn, suffering loss. Leaves occasionally trimmed close ot fore-edge, sometimes touching a few letters. A few smudges and a bit of toning. Still a very good copy with a great association.

Provenance: From the family of Octavius Moulton-Barrett (1824-1910), youngest brother of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, thence by descent.

Barnes. Kelley & Coley A1440.

HBS 69114.

$8,500.