John Greenleaf Whittier — Snow Bound a Winter Idyl

Boston, Ticknor and Fields, 1866. First edition. Leather. A first edition of Whittier's best known poem This is the first edition, second issue with the final page (52) unnumbered as shown above. With the original binding bound into the book at the rear, as shown above. Bound by Stikeman & Co. Bound in half leather with green cloth covered boards and gilt lettering. John Greenleaf Whittier (1807 – 1892) was an influential American Quaker poet and ardent advocate of the abolition of slavery in the United States. He is usually listed as one of the Fireside Poets. Whittier was strongly influenced by the Scottish poet, Robert Burns. This poem takes place in what is today known as the John Greenleaf Whittier Homestead, which still stands in Haverhill, Massachusetts.The poem chronicles a rural New England family as a snowstorm rages outside for three days. Stuck in their home, the family members exchange stories by their roaring fire. Whittier began the poem originally as a personal gift to his niece Elizabeth as a method of remembering the family. Nevertheless, he told publisher James Thomas Fields about it, referring to it as "a homely picture of old New England homes". Snow-Bound was first published as a book-length poem on February 17, 1866. Snow-Bound was financially successful, much to Whittier's surprise. By the summer after its first publication, sales had reached 20,000, earning Whittier royalties of ten cents per copy. He ultimately collected $10,000 for it. Its popularity also led to the home depicted in the poem being preserved as a museum in 1892. Bound in half leather with green cloth covered boards and gilt lettering. There is some slight wear to the extremities including slight bumping, and discolouration to the spine. The front inner hinge is slightly strained. The binding is tight and firm. There is some slight offsetting from the frontispiece. Internally the pages are clean and bright with the odd handling mark. Very Good . Ill.: None. Very Good .