Robert Browning — Prince Hohenstiel-Schwangau

London, Smith, Elder and Co, 1871. First edition. Cloth. A very smart copy of this long poem from Robert Browning, first published after the end of Napoleon III's reign and never exceeding a first print run. The first edition. In the publisher's original cloth binding. This long poem by Robert Browning was largely forgotten while he worked on 'Dramatis Personae' and 'The Ring and the Book', with revisions and additions made for publication following the Franco-Prussian War. Some critics have called this poem the least-read of all Browning's works, with its length and complexity resulting in the first printing failing to sell out. A second edition was never issued.Robert Browning was a notable English poet and playwright of the Victorian era, known for his irony, characterisation, dark humour and social commentary. In the original cloth binding. Externally, very smart, with rubbing to the extremities and slight darkening to the spine. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are generally bright and clean, with a few spots to the endpapers. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: None. Very Good Indeed .