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Hard cover, 12mo, in green glazed cloth blocked in gold with abstracted, unfurling plant-like forms, the otherwise straight- lined borders making an off-center square decorated with three dots in the corners. Similar forms decorate the titling on the spine, and are also mirrored on the rear board. Glazed black endpapers with the small bookplate upper left: "From the Library of/John Masefield/ O.M., Poet Laureate." Bookbinder's diamond shaped label near rear gutter, "Bound by Burn 37 & 38 Kirby St." **CONDITION: Very Good Plus. Some marks to front board, and old ink stains to rear board, a few bubbles to cloth, as seen. Spine is a bit darkened. Faintly rubbed at joints. One area of very minor fraying seen at foot of spine. Inside, light foxing to prelims and mild age-toning to pages. Both hinges are in order. An inscription in old ink to the half title is dated Feb., 1867. **This represents the third cover design by Pre-Raphaelite artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882) for the books of his younger sister, Victorian poet CHRISTINA ROSSETTI (1830-1894). DGR also illustrated both the frontispiece and title page, which together illustrate two scenes of the titular poem in which a prince travels to claim his royal bride. He is waylaid by a number of distractions, including a gorgon-like milkmaid, and an ageless warlock lurking in a volcanic cave and firing up a life-giving potion. The Prince must also surmount the physical challenges of crossing a raging river and snow-peaked mountains. He unfortunately arrives too late at the shimmering, opaline bridal palace, and is chided by the Bride's maids in waiting. The model for Rossetti's title page drawing is said to be the poet herself. "The Prince's Progress" was CR's second collection of poetry in book form and has 47 pieces. PROVENANCE: British Poet Laureate JOHN MASEFIELD (1878-1967) with his label. The Warwickshire-born Masefield became Poet Laureate in 1930, continuing until 1967. Some of his most famous works dealt with the sea, reflecting youthful travels as a merchant mariner. He would later lecture on English literature before both British and American audiences, and wrote well-received novels, plays and some non-fiction works. His most famous book of verse is said to be 1902's "Salt-Water Ballads." McLean (1973) p. 152. Watson 497. Please also see our number 9729 for a Laurence Housman-illustrated issue of Rossetti's "Goblin Market," (1893). (AMJ)
Ref: POEMEW 9825
$950.00