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Impeccable fine binding and very important Irish provenance as Louisa Montagu’s copy gifted to her by WB Baring.
First edition in this celebrated format. Large octavo. Original publisher's pale green cloth, intricately blocked in a white enamel-like shamrock design to boards and spine; central medallion to front cover enclosing an allegorical figure of Erin leaning against a harp, surrounded by stylized Gothic lettering. All edges gilt. Profusely illustrated throughout with elaborate borders, vignettes, and text etched directly onto the plate by Daniel Maclise.
The Binding Artistry: This specific cloth variant is widely recognized as a masterpiece of 19th-century trade binding. As cataloged by the Princeton University Library, renowned book design historian Ruari McLean hailed this work as “one of the finest covers of the early Victorian period, probably designed by Owen Jones”, specifically highlighting the “skillful introduction of the title into the circle round the illustration.”
Provenance: A highly significant Victorian association copy. Features a contemporary handwritten ink inscription on the blank flyleaf: “Given to me by my Son in law W. B. Baring. 1846.” The donor was William Bingham Baring, 2nd Baron Ashburton (1799–1864), prominent British politician and member of the elite Baring banking dynasty. The recipient was his mother-in-law, Louisa Montagu, Countess of Sandwich (1781–1862), a celebrated Irish noblewoman, society muse (sculpted by Canova and painted by Lawrence), and close confidante to intellectual titan Thomas Carlyle.
Condition: Very Good. The delicate white-stamped enamel on the front board remains remarkably crisp, bright, and legible. The spine and outer hinges exhibit expected Victorian shelf wear, including visible rubbing, minor fraying, and small areas of material loss at the head and foot. Internal text block remains tightly bound with light foxing, normal for this heavy paper stock.
