THE REVOLT OF ISLAM; A POEM, IN TWELVE CANTOS

London: Printed for John Brooks, 1829. 229 x 152 mm. (9 x 6"). xxxii, [1] leaf (section title), 270, [2] pp. (without the initial blank).
LUXURIOUS OLIVE GREEN MOROCCO, VIGOROUSLY AND SPLENDIDLY GILT, BY ZAEHNSDORF (stamp-signed on front doublure, and with the firm's oval exhibition stamp on rear endleaf), covers framed by multiple plain and decorative rules and garlands of palm and olive branches, large central panel densely tooled with 13 horizontal rows of either four or five elegant floral sprigs of various shapes, some within flower-framed ovals, others on a stippled background; flat spine gilt in similar fashion, gilt titling, TAN MOROCCO DOUBLURES with intricate central gilt arabesque on a field semé with gilt dots and daggers, tan morocco endleaves with gilt border, top edge gilt and beautifully gauffered to match the floral design on the covers. From the collection of Cornelius J. Hauck (though apparently with his bookplate removed). Granniss 45. ◆Spine sunned toward brown (a ubiquitous problem with green morocco), very slight rubbing to joints (top inch of rear joint a little more significantly so), front flyleaf with small closed tear at fore edge (title page with small mended half-inch tear in the same place), but a very desirable copy nonetheless, the text clean and pleasing, and the riotously embellished binding almost flaming with gold.

With distinguished provenance, this is a glittering exhibition binding that makes a memorable display, with its fine and dense pointillé ground, its exquisitely gauffered top edge, and its especially refined floral and leafy ornamentation being particularly notable. A spiritual odyssey of lovers divided and seeking reunion, "The Revolt of Islam" is Shelley's longest work (despite its title, the poem has little, if anything, to do with Islam, though religion is generally addressed). The work was issued late in 1817 as "Laon and Cythna," but certain passages of that piece disturbed the publisher, who demanded that they be changed or removed. Shelley reluctantly agreed, and his alterations included the substitution of the present title. We have the Brooks edition, with a new title page, using the text of the first edition, second issue (with the fly title correctly bound as d1, and the preface ending on p. xxi). As Granniss indicates, "the original quires and cancel leaves of the work fell into the hands of John Brooks, who issued them, in 1829, with a new title." Our volume comes from the illustrious collection of Cincinnati businessman, arborist, and philanthropist Cornelius J. Hauck (1893-1967), whose fortune was made in the family brewery; the auction of his library at Christie's in 2006 totaled more than $12.4 million (this item was lot #593, selling for $3,360)..