1871 Wordsworth Poetical Works Mauchline Binding Poetry Book

A Victorian gift edition of Wordsworth's complete poetical works, published by T. Nelson and Sons in 1871 as part of Nelson's Illustrated Poets series. What sets this copy apart is the binding: polished dark wooden boards decorated with Scottish fern ware, paired with a red-brown leather spine in gilt. Fern ware was made by arranging dried ferns as reverse stencils and applying dyes in layers, a technique tied to the Victorian fern craze of the 1850s. The text is illustrated throughout with engraved plates, and all edges are gilt.

[d]Author | William Wordsworth

[d]Title | The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth, with Life of the Author

[d]Publisher | T. Nelson and Sons, London, Edinburgh, and New York

[d]Date | 1871

[d]Edition | Nelson's Illustrated Poets, Issue 239

[d]Binding | Mauchline fern ware boards with red-brown leather spine, gilt decoration, raised bands, gilt inner dentelles, all edges gilt

[d]Pages | 566

[d]Illustrator | Engraved illustrations throughout

[d]Dimensions | 6.75 in H x 4.5 in W x 1.25 in D

[d]Language | English

[d]Origin | Scotland and England, published by T. Nelson and Sons

[condition] The fern ware boards show rubbing and surface scuffing consistent with age, with wear to the spine ends, raised bands, and corners. The gilt spine title remains legible. The all-gilt edges are bright. Interior pages show scattered foxing, most noticeable in the margins and preliminaries. The text block appears complete and the engraved plates present, though hinge strength has not been verified. A handsome and uncommon binding, presenting well as a decorative Victorian gift book.