The Poetical Works of Leigh Hunt

London: Edward Moxon, 1832 Hard cover, 8vo (measuring 5 ¾ x 8 ¾ inches) in a lovely Arts and Crafts style fine re-binding of full, crushed green morocco, top edge gilt, with gilt decoration of ivy leaves, dots and gilt rule to both boards, the spine in six raised compartments with matching decoration and titles in gilt. The signed binding has a gilt pallet stamp to the front turn-in.: "Bound by Worsfold." This is presumed to date from the early twentieth century, matching other documented examples. The original cloth binding has been bound in at the rear. An engraved armorial bookplate of collector Charles Waterman Armour appears on the front pastedown. Printed by Bradbury and Evans, London. Collation: (lx), 361, (12). The author, James Henry LEIGH HUNT (1784-1859) was an impassioned defender of the abolition of the slave trade, as well as parliamentary and criminal reform in his capacity as a journalist and critic. He was highly influential in promoting the work of the British Romantic poets of the day, including Keats, and Shelley, defending the idea of "poetry for its own sake". Also included are some of the author's translations of poetry from the original Greek, French and Italian. The bookbinder, WILLIAM WORSFOLD (1856-1929), can be traced in a number of contemporary commercial directories to a workshop at 12 Frith Street, Soho. (1891: Kelly's Post Office Commercial and Professional Directory; and 1914: London Street Directory.) Worsfold came from a London bookbinding family, being at least a third generation participant. An article from the New York Times Saturday Review of Books mentions him (Jan. 9, 1904 p. 26) in the same breath as other really notable bookbinders of the day. Laurence Worms has written a detailed appreciation of his work on his blog at Ash Rare Books. Condition: at least Very Good Plus. Slightest of wear to two corners, at head and foot of front joint, foot of rear joint. Quarter inch closed tear to fore-edge of title page. A small bit of offsetting from the turn-ins onto the endpapers. Otherwise, the binding is tight, the pages are minimally age-toned, and the book remains very clean. Watson Vol.3, no. 1217.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good Plus.