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BROWNING, Elizabeth Barrett (1806-1861) and Robert BROWNING (1812-1889). Two Poems. London: Chapman and Hall, 1854.
8° (202 x 131mm). Original light buff printed wrappers (lightly soiled), black morocco slipcase with gilt-lettered spine. Provenance: Thomas Carlyle (armorial bookplate) -- purchased from Scribners, New York, 30 January 1942, $17.50.
FIRST EDITION, CARLYLE'S COPY. The two poems are Elizabeth's 'A Plea for the Ragged Schools of London, written in Rome,' and Robert's 'The Twins'; published in May 1854, at sixpence, for sale at a bazaar in aid of a foundation established by Arabel Barrett for the protection of 'young destitute girls.' Only a few of the 500 or so copies published were sold at the time; in 1887 a large number of remainders were discovered and retailed at two shillings a copy. However, Carlyle's copy must have almost certainly been purchased at the bazaar. He was an important and steady friend to both the Brownings. His opinion of their marriage (September, 1846) as a 'union indicated by the finger of Heaven itself,' was in contrast to the general opinion expressed by Wordsworth: 'Well, I hope they may understand each other -- nobody else could.' Although he characteristically referred to Robert as 'Poor little Browning,' Carlyle had a real and profound belief in his early poetry when this was so often dismissed as obscure. Ashley I, p. 110; Barnes A9, noting that 'in all probability, the format of this 19th-century pamphlet suggested that used by Thomas J. Wise for many of his forgeries'; Broughton A58.
8° (202 x 131mm). Original light buff printed wrappers (lightly soiled), black morocco slipcase with gilt-lettered spine. Provenance: Thomas Carlyle (armorial bookplate) -- purchased from Scribners, New York, 30 January 1942, $17.50.
FIRST EDITION, CARLYLE'S COPY. The two poems are Elizabeth's 'A Plea for the Ragged Schools of London, written in Rome,' and Robert's 'The Twins'; published in May 1854, at sixpence, for sale at a bazaar in aid of a foundation established by Arabel Barrett for the protection of 'young destitute girls.' Only a few of the 500 or so copies published were sold at the time; in 1887 a large number of remainders were discovered and retailed at two shillings a copy. However, Carlyle's copy must have almost certainly been purchased at the bazaar. He was an important and steady friend to both the Brownings. His opinion of their marriage (September, 1846) as a 'union indicated by the finger of Heaven itself,' was in contrast to the general opinion expressed by Wordsworth: 'Well, I hope they may understand each other -- nobody else could.' Although he characteristically referred to Robert as 'Poor little Browning,' Carlyle had a real and profound belief in his early poetry when this was so often dismissed as obscure. Ashley I, p. 110; Barnes A9, noting that 'in all probability, the format of this 19th-century pamphlet suggested that used by Thomas J. Wise for many of his forgeries'; Broughton A58.
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