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The Definitive Presentation of an American Masterpiece
HAWTHORNE, Nathaniel. Twice-Told Tales. Boston: Ticknor, Reed, and Fields, 1851.
Two octavo volumes. "A New Edition." Elegantly bound in full polished tan calfskin by the renowned workshop of Riviere & Son, London.
Description
Step back into the twilight of nineteenth-century New England with this extraordinarily beautiful, museum-grade two-volume set of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s "Twice-Told Tales." Published in Boston in 1851 by the legendary house of Ticknor, Reed, and Fields, this sought-after "New Edition" represents the crowning, mid-career retrospective of Hawthorne's mastery over the short story form. For the romantic collector, this edition holds a sacred place in American letters: it marks the very first appearance of Hawthorne’s deeply personal, introspective preface, alongside the debut of the iconic engraved portrait frontispiece, captured with striking sensitivity by Cephas Giovanni Thompson and brought to life through Schoff’s delicate engraving. Within these pages rest the haunting, psychological landscapes of The Minister’s Black Veil, The Great Carbuncle, and The May-Pole of Merry Mount—tales that fundamentally shaped the trajectory of American Romanticism.
This specific copy is a breathtaking testament to the golden age of bookbinding, elevated into a masterwork of decorative art by the premier London atelier Riviere & Son. Bound in a sumptuously polished tan calfskinthat radiates a warm, honeyed luster, the volumes feel substantial and silky to the touch. The spines are a triumph of classical craftsmanship, featuring five raised bands that frame six deeply recessed compartments. Each compartment is heavily and flawlessly embellished with intricate, hand-tooled gilt floral flourishes that shimmer like spun gold under the light. Adding a regal contrast to the gilded spine are two inlaid morocco leather lettering labels—one a rich chocolate brown, the other a vibrant crimson—bearing crisp, perfectly struck gold typography.
The romance of the exterior gracefully bleeds into the interior. The covers are bordered by double-fillet gold lines and delicate corner rosettes, while the top edges of the text blocks are heavily gilded to protect the pages from dust. Upon opening the boards, one is greeted by mesmerizing, hand-marbled endpapers in a traditional snail pattern, swirling with rich ochre, deep crimson, slate gray, and charcoal. The inner turn-ins of the leather boards feature breathtakingly delicate gold dentelles, a lace-like filigree pattern that frames the marbled paper like a rare painting.
In a magnificent nod to bibliographical reverence, the master binder has meticulously excised the original 1851 ribbed cloth publisher’s spines and cleanly bound them into the rear of each volume. This rare, costly practice preserves the historic soul and provenance of the book's first factory clothing, allowing the collector to cherish the industrial history of the 1851 printing alongside the bespoke luxury of a Riviere binding.
Condition Report
The condition of this set can only be described as exemplary. The calfskin is remarkably supple and bright, completely free from the dry rot or scuffing that so often plagues nineteenth-century leather. Crucially, the exterior joints and internal hinges remain perfectly sound and strong, opening smoothly without a whisper of splitting. Internally, the text blocks are tightly bound and crisp. The paper is miraculously bright, defying its age by showing only the absolute faintest traces of off-setting, while remaining entirely free of the heavy, distracting brown foxing common to this era. The original tissue guards remain flawlessly intact, protecting Hawthorne’s engraved gaze. A peerless marriage of dark romantic literature and elite British book arts, this set is a collector’s dream realized.
Please Note
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