"THERE'S THE WONDER—THUS THEY SEE YOU, PRAISE YOU, THINK THEY KNOW YOU"

BROWNING, Robert. Men and Women. London: Chapman and Hall, 1855. Two volumes. 12mo, original blind-stamped green cloth. Housed in custom cloth chemise and morocco slipcase. $1300.

First edition of the first volumes of poetry Browning published after his marriage to Elizabeth Barrett, with the final poem addressed to her, in the original cloth.

Men and Women is one of Browning's most important poetical works and includes "Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came," "Fra Lippo Lippi," "Andrea del Sarto" and "Love Among the Ruins." The first fifty poems feature different narrators; the final poem, "One Word More," is from Browning's perspective and with his voice, addressed to his new wife. Owner ink signature to front free endpapers.

Interiors generally clean; cloth toned along spines and board edges, small chips to cloth at spine of Volume II, bindings sound, gilt bright. Very good in unrestored original cloth.