Pacchiarotto and How He Worked in Distemper: With Other Poems by Browning, Robert - 1876

London: Smith, Elder, & Co, 1876. First edition. viii, 241, [1], [2, ads] pp. 8vo. Publisher's lilac cloth stamped in black and gilt, partially unopened. Fine, in custom half brown morocco slipcase and chemise. First edition. viii, 241, [1], [2, ads] pp. 8vo. Presentation copy to Browning's dear friend, "Fanny Haworth from her old & affectionate friend RB. July 18 '76."
Euphrasia Fanny Haworth (1801-1883) was an artist and writer who Browning first met in 1835 at the home of the actor William Macready; she had already published, in 1827, a collection of stories called The Pine Tree Dell, and Other Tales. She and Browning became lifelong friends and correspondents. Miss Haworth makes an appearance as "Eyebright" in Sordello, and years later she painted a well-known portrait of Pen Browning. Wise, Browning 19. Provenance: Fanny Haworth (inscription from the author); James F. Drake (bookseller's code to last page, April 1931); Marjorie Wiggin Prescott (Christie's, 6 February 1981, lot 33)