The Prisoner of Chillon by Lord Byron - 1865

ont> Day and Son : London, 1865 Book. Very Good. Hardcover. First edition.. A beautiful, illuminated copy of Lord Byron's narrative poem. Produced to a high standard, this bright chromolithographed work has stanzas printed on individual leaves with sumptuous floral decorations and embellishments. The first edition of this publication and therefore a first thus of Byron's poem. 'The Prisoner of Chillon' recounts the imprisonment of Francois Bonivard, a Genevois Monk. Stylistically it is a romantic verse-tale as it explores the trials of a lone survivor whose family have been martyred. Plates have retained their colour and are still very bright. Each leaf is colour illustrated, with silver and gold illuminations, imitating the beautiful religious manuscripts of the Middle Ages. These plates have been illustrated and designed by W and G Hudsley. The chromolithographs are by W R Tymms. A beautiful copy of this poem by this leading figure in the Romantic movement and one of the great British poets. Condition: In a decorative cloth binding. This work has been recased with new endpapers. The original cloth design to the boards and spine have been preserved. Externally, generally smart with light rubbing to the extremities and to the head and tail of spine. Small tidemark to the head of the front board. Spine has faded slightly. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright. Occasional small chips to the fore-edge of leaves from handling. Scattered spots to leaves, mostly to the blank margins and to the blank versos. Overall Condition: Very Good.