[Fine Binding | Oxford Bindery] Robert Browning's Poetical Works

Browning, Robert. The Poetical Works of Robert Browning. London: Smith, Elder, & Co., 1899.  Two volumes bound in one. Each volume with portrait frontispiece. 

Bound by the Oxford University Press bindery (signed "Oxford Binding" on front turn-in) in full olive morocco, with incredibly dense stippled gilt panels tooled on the covers, accented with inlaid blue, red, and orange tulips. (In total, there are 341 inlaid morocco flowers and dots within the binding.) Five bands to spine with title to second compartment and remaining compartments tooled similarly to the covers. Wide turn-ins, densely stippled and inlaid with tulips. Green and pink mottled endpapers, all edges gilt. Measures 5" x 7.5". Spine, front board, and edges of turn-ins gently faded. A few minor spots of rubbing.

Included with the book is the illustrated catalogue from the Oxford University Press bindery's exhibit in Paris at the Exposition Universelle in 1900. While this particular volume/design was not included in the exhibit, the quality of the work (as with the present volume) was of a very high level, and undoubtedly produced by some of the leading bookbinding artisans of the period in London.