[William Johnson Cory] — Ionica

London, Smith, Elder and Co. 1858. First edition. Cloth. The sought after first edition of William Johnson Cory's chief poetical work, 'Ionica', in the original cloth binding. The very scarce first edition of this poetical volume by William Johnson Cory, poet and influential master at Eton. Originally published anonymously. In the original green cloth binding. Cory was made assistant master at Eton in 1845, where he remained for some twenty-six years. He has been called "the most brilliant Eton tutor of his day" by historian Sir George Walter Prothero and had a great influence on his pupils, among whom included figures such as Lord Rosebery and Sir F. Pollock. Although best known for the much-anthologised 'Heraclitus', 'Ionica' remains regarded as his chief poetical work, recognised for its lyrical quality.This copy gifted by British journalist, writer and publisher Holbrook Jackson (1874-1948), recognised as one of the leading bibliophiles of his time. Around 1900 he was in the lace trade in Leeds, where he met A. R. Orage; together they founded the Leeds Arts Club. In 1912 or 1913 he set up the Flying Fame Press, with the poet Ralph Hodgson and designer Claud Lovat Fraser. This was the beginning of a long association with small press and the worlds of typography and book collecting, on which he wrote extensively. In the original cloth binding. Externally, fading to the spine, with loss to the head and tail. A few damp spots to the boards. Backstrip lifting slightly to the rear joint. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are generally bright and clean, with occasional light spots. Contemporary gift inscription to front free endpaper. Small ownership inscription to title page. Good . Ill.: None. Good .