Poe, Edgar Allan. The Raven. Illustrated by Gustave Doré, with Comment by Edmund C. Stedman. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1884. First American edition.

A magnificent large-format edition of Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven, illustrated throughout by the celebrated French artist Gustave Doré, with commentary by Edmund C. Stedman.

Published by Harper & Brothers in New York in 1884, this edition presents Poe's haunting poem alongside Doré's dramatic and atmospheric illustrations, among the artist's most memorable work. The volume is an impressive 18½ x 15 inches, allowing Doré's illustrations to be presented on a truly monumental scale.

This copy has undergone sympathetic structural restoration after having been acquired in substantially damaged condition. The original covers have been retained, with portions of the original spine and original backing cloth incorporated into the new rebacking. The book has been rebacked in sympathetic bookcloth, with new endpapers supplied in keeping with the character of the volume. The spine and hinges are now tight and solid.

The text block is tight and secure, and all of the Doré plates are present.

There is residual water staining throughout the text block, including staining visible on the title page and other leaves. This is the principal remaining condition issue and is clearly shown in the photographs. 

Despite its history of damage, the restoration has returned the volume to a sound, attractive, and fully usable condition, while retaining substantial original binding material. The restoration is disclosed here for the benefit of collectors.

A particularly striking edition of Poe's most famous poem, and an important example of the collaboration between one of America's greatest poets and one of the nineteenth century's greatest illustrators.

Condition

Restored. Text block is tight and secure, with all Doré plates present. Rebacked in sympathetic bookcloth, retaining portions of the original spine and backing cloth. Original covers retained. New endpapers supplied. Spine and hinges are tight and solid following restoration.

Some water staining remains throughout the text block and is the principal condition issue. Please see photographs for a detailed representation of the book's present condition and restoration.

Dimensions: 18½ x 15 x 1 inches.