Ernest Dowson — Verses

London, Leonard Smithers, 1896 . First edition. Vellum. The first edition of Ernest Dowson's uncommon, limited edition collection of poems, in a binding designed by Aubrey Beardsley. An uncommon, limited edition work, with this being one of only three hundred 'small paper' copies printed on handmade paper.In the publisher's original paper vellum, with gilt detailing designed by illustrator and author Aubrey Beardsley, a friend of Dowson.Dowson was a poet, novelist and writer associated with the late nineteenth century Decadent movement. A member of the Rhymers' Club, he was a contributor to literary magazines such as Beardsley's 'The Yellow Book', and 'The Savoy&apos.This was Dowson's first poetry collection, and features his poem 'Non Sum Qualis eram Bonae Sub Regno Cynarae&apos. Margaret Mitchell, touched by the 'far away, faintly sad sound I wanted' in the line 'I have forgot much, Cynara! gone with the wind', chose the line as the title of her novel 'Gone with the Wind&apos.In a letter to publisher Leonard Smithers upon Dowson's early death, Oscar Wilde wrote 'I hope bay leaves will be laid on his tomb, and rue and myrtle too, for he knew what love is&apos. In the publisher's original paper vellum boards, with gilt detailing. Bumping to back strip head and tail. Back strip significantly age toned, with boards lightly age toned and with light handling marks. Internally, firmly bound. Pages exceptionally clean and bright. Very Good . Ill.: None. Very Good .