THE WORKS OF THE LATE EDGAR ALLAN POE: WITH NOTICES OF HIS LIFE AND GENIUS - VOLUMES I (TALES) & II (POETRY & MISCELLANIES)
New York: J.S. Redfield, 1850. First Editions. Item #8535
First Printings, with final page of ads in Vol.1 printing "Was published on the First of April" beneath American Drawing-Book, and in Vol.2, there is no "r" in "choir" on p.46, third stanza, line 1. Two 12mo. volumes (19.75cm); Blanck's A binding in publisher's blue cloth, spines blind-stamped with simple rules, with gilt-stamped rules between volume number and title on spines, and covers with embossed corner and centerpieces within a triple blind-ruled frame; peach endpapers; xxii,[1]-483,[484] + [4]pp ads, with inserted tissue-guarded portrait frontispiece; vi,[7]-495,[496-498]pp. In Vol.1, the first leaf (a blank) is not excised, as is found in some copies. Both volumes bear the early ink signature of Samuel E. Perkins of Bangor, Maine (a druggist), with his circular business label on preliminary blank (Vol.1) and front pastedown (Vol.2). Some very mild softening to spine ends, spines gently sunned, with sprinkled foxing to text; Vol.1 slightly over-opened at gutter following front endpaper, with some light rubbing to covers on Vol.2; a uniformly Near Fine set without repair, with the gilt bright and unrubbed.
The first collected edition of Poe's works, part of what would become a four-volume set, with the third published later in 1850, and the fourth volume appearing in 1856. These volumes were published roughly six months after Poe's death; Volume I contains biographical matter and a notice of Poe's death, followed by his Tales. Considerable material appears here for the first time in book form, including "The Balloon-Hoax," "Mellonta Tauta," "A Tale of the Ragged Mountains," and "The Unparalleled Adventure of One Hans Pfaall [sic]. Uncommon in the first printings, particularly in matched condition. A Haycraft-Queen Cornerstone. BAL 16158; Sabin 63570. 8535.
Price: $8,500.00