In Memoriam [and] Lyric Poems Alfred Lord Tennyson

TITLE: Poems of Alfred Lord Tennyson: Lyric Poems and In Memoriam (2 volumes), Hacon and Ricketts (Vale Press), 1900. _____DESCRIPTION: Two volume set. Limited edition of 320 copies printed on paper of 330 copies. Octavo 23.5 x 15.5 cm, 9 1/8H x 6W inches, pp[7 blank leaves], cxvi + colophon + printer's device + [8 blank leaves ]; [7 blank leaves], cxxv + colophon + printer's device + [7 blank leaves]. "Seen through the Press by C. J. Holmes and Decorated with Border Designed by C. S. Ricketts and Engraved by C. E. Keates Printed at the Ballantyne Press London M.C.M." - colophon. All edges trimmed, all edges gilt. Decorated with wood engraved initial letters and borders designed by C. S. Ricketts. Fine bindings: Vintage green full morocco and elaborate gilt bindings with marbled pastedowns and endpapers by Chambolle-Duru (Paris), their name stamped in gilt at the lower border inside the front cover of Volume 1. The elaborate gilt designs on both covers continue inside the books along the leather turn-ins (dentelles) of both front and rear covers._____CONDITION: VG+ to NF. No names, inscriptions or ex-libris. Text blocks firm and square. Fading to the book spines and periphery of the covers (from dark green to brown) giving the books a duotone appearance which is pleasing in its own way. The external hinges of both volumes have been skillfully repaired and reinforced by an experienced professional bookbinder (Scott K. Kellar of Chicago) - see final photo. Very faint toning (barely perceptible) at the bottom of two text pages in the rear of Vol.1. and 6mm trimming of front and lower margins of pg. xxv in Vol. 2. 1 or 2 spots on a handful of pages in both volumes but otherwise free of foxing. Interior pages otherwise in fine condition. Very light rubbing at the top edges and at the top and bottom of the book spines in both volumes (see photos). _____DISCUSSION: This is one of the most popular and sought after sets amongst the 45 titles in the bibliography of the short-lived Vale Press (1896-1904). In his famous book 'The Private Press', Roderick Cave proclaimed the Vale Press books were "far truer to the spirit of fifteenth-century printing than Kelmscott work" and in both style and execution compared favorably, so much so that the Vale Press was admired by William Morris. Vale Press editions were closely supervised by C. S. Ricketts and the printing was carried out at the Ballantyne Press, where a hand press and pressman were reserved for Ricketts' sole use, accounting for the exception quality of the letterpress printing of Vale Press editions. Overall, this is an attractive, nicely preserved set for 124 y.o. books. _____NOTE: International shipping cost to the United Kingdom and Europe is $55 U.S. dollars.