Felicia Hemans — Tales and Historic Scenes, in Verse

London, John Murray, 1819. First edition. Leather. A very scarce first edition of this poetical collection from leading female poet of her day, Felicia Hemans. The very scarce first edition of this collection of poetry from leading female English poet, Felicia Hemans. Bound in half calf with marbled boards. With an engraved plate from another work loosely inserted.Hemans was immensely popular during her lifetime across England and the US, second only to Lord Byron in terms of sales and writer of classic opening lines such as "The boy stood on the burning deck" and "The stately homes of England". This collection contains 'The Widow of Crescentius', 'The Wife of Asdrubal', 'Night Scene in Genoa' and others, which feature the female-centric domestic and romantic themes often explored in her works.A scarce work for this poet. Bound in half calf with marbled boards. Externally, with chips to the leather to the spine head and tail and general rubbing to the extremities. Scuffing to the boards and cracking to the front joint, however front board remains firmly attached. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are generally bright and clean, with light scattered spotting to the endpapers and the odd spot throughout. Good . Ill.: None. Good .