The Poetical Works and Remains of Henry Kirke White

London: George Routledge and Co. , 1852. First edition. Leather. Very Good Indeed. 6.5" by 4.5". Birket Foster. A scarce first thus edition of the collected poetical works of the renowned English poet Henry Kirke White. Henry Kirke White, who died at the tragically young age of twenty one, had a short but prolific literary career. First publishing his poetical works in literary magazines, White went on to publish his own collection of poetry in 1803 'Clifton Grove, a Sketch in Verse, with other Poems'. However the vast majority of his work was unpublished during his lifetime. White's letters and a great deal of his unpublished poems were collected together by his brother Neville and edited by Robert Southey (with a biography), published in 1807 as the 'Remains of Kirke White'. The work was a great success and went through many printings and four revised editions over the next thirty years. This copy is a first thus edition, incorporating many of the works first published in the earlier ''Remains of Kirke White', with charming illustrations by the renowned Victorian illustrator, watercolour artist and engraver Birket Foster. This copy features Robert Southey's fascinating biography to the front of the text. In an attractive full crushed morocco binding with gilt embellishment to boards and spine, and charming gilded page edges. In a crushed morocco binding with gilt embellishment to boards and spine. Externally, excellent Slight fading to spine. Minor shelfwear to extremities, with very slight rubbing to head of front joint. Upper fore edge of front free-endpaper removed. Internally firmly bound. Pages slightly age toned to edges but bright and clean throughout with the odd spot, heavier to first and last few pages. Very Good Indeed