Sonnets from the Portuguese by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (NUMBERED, LIMITED THIRD EDITION, #10 OF 100)

Portland, Maine: Thomas B. Mosher; Printed by Smith and Sale, 1901. Numbered, Limited Third Edition. Stiff Wrapper Binding. Very Good +. 7" x 4.25" x 0.5. NUMBERED, LIMITED THIRD EDITION, 1901. This third Mosher edition is #10 of 100 copies. Old World Series. Printed on Japan vellum paper. Binding is a stiff wrapper board in an off white color with brown illustration and lettering on the cover and spine. All edges deckled, more prominently, however, at the foredge. Red and black title page with small black and white illustrative engraving. A silk, light blue bookmark ribbon is laid in. 68 pp. Cover shows some discoloration and light wear, yet leaves are beautifully and evenly toned and unmarked. A fascinating, delightful copy. Full refund if not satisfied. <br><br>ABOUT THE PAPER: Japanese vellum is a thick paper produced in Japan from native fibers that are of relatively great length. The paper has a very cloudy formation and is tough and durable. The color is usually cream or natural, and the paper is finished with a smooth surface. Japanese vellum is suitable for engravings, etc., or where a very durable paper is required. An imitation, made by treating ordinary paper with sulfuric acid, is sometimes called "Japon." (cultural heritage dot org). <br><br>ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806 to 1861) was an English poet of the Victorian era, popular in Britain and the United States during her lifetime. Born in County Durham, the eldest of 12 children, Elizabeth Barrett wrote poetry from the age of eleven. Her mother's collection of her poems forms one of the largest extant collections of juvenilia by any English writer. At 15, she became ill, suffering intense head and spinal pain for the rest of her life. Later in life, she also developed lung problems, possibly tuberculosis. She took laudanum for the pain from an early age, which is likely to have contributed to her frail health. In the 1840s, Elizabeth was introduced to literary society through her cousin John Kenyon. Her first adult collection of poems was published in 1838, and she wrote prolifically between 1841 and 1844, producing poetry, translation, and prose. She campaigned for the abolition of slavery, and her work helped influence reform in the child labour legislation. Her prolific output made her a rival to Tennyson as a candidate for poet laureate on the death of Wordsworth. Elizabeth's volume Poems (1844) brought her great success, attracting the admiration of the writer Robert Browning. Their correspondence, courtship, and marriage were carried out in secret, for fear of her father's disapproval. Following the wedding, she was indeed disinherited by her father. In 1846, the couple moved to Italy, where she would live for the rest of her life. They had a son, known as "Pen" (Robert Wiedeman Barrett Browning) (1849–1912). Pen devoted himself to painting until his eyesight began to fail later in life; he also built up a large collection of manuscripts and memorabilia of his parents; however, since he died intestate, it was sold by public auction to various bidders, and scattered upon his death. The Armstrong Browning Library has tried to recover some of his collection, and now houses the world's largest collection of Browning memorabilia. Elizabeth died in Florence in 1861. A collection of her last poems was published by her husband shortly after her death. Elizabeth's work had a major influence on prominent writers of the day, including the American poets Edgar Allan Poe and Emily Dickinson. She is remembered for such poems as "How Do I Love Thee?" (Sonnet 43, 1845) and Aurora Leigh (1856). (Wikipedia)