Books and Manuscripts

Tennyson, Alfred Lord
Seven Poems & Two Translations
London: The Doves Press, 1902. First and limited edition, one of 325 copies printed on paper. 8vo. (iv), 55, (1) pp. Presentation copy, inscribed on front free endpaper by Doves Press founder T.J. Cobden-Sanderson, "To Sylvia Stanley in memory of past years and with my best wishes for the years to come." Text printed in red and in black. Bound by Cobden-Sanderson in full green crushed levant, decorated in gilt; all edges gilt; scattered light foxing to fore- and bottom edges of last eight leaves of text; signed by him “The Doves Bindery 19 C-S 04”. Book-plate of Robert Wayne Stilwell on front paste-down, and of Brian Douglas Stilwell on verso of first free leaf. Ransom, p. 250; Tomkinson, p. 54; Franklin, p. 210, Tidcombe DP4

A beautifully bound presentation copy of Tennyson's poems, with a great association. Inscribed and bound by Doves Press and Doves Bindery founder, T.J. Cobden-Sanderson, to his close friend and former Cambridge classmate, Sylvia Stanley (1882-1980). Stanley was the niece of John Russell, Viscount Amberley (1842-1876), and following his death in 1876, Cobden-Sanderson was named guardian of Russell’s two sons–one of whom was future English philosopher and wit Bertrand Russell (1872-1970).

A superb copy.