THE ORIENTAL ROMANCE OF VICTORIAN ENGLAND

Moore, Thomas (1779–1852) ; Tenniel, John (1820–1914) – Illustrator

Lalla Rookh, an Oriental Romance [Fine Binding by Riviere & Son - Illustrated by John Tenniel]

London: Longman, Green, Longman, and Roberts, [c.1861].
THE ART OF JOHN TENNIEL BEFORE WONDERLAND.
A premier Victorian edition of Thomas Moore’s Orientalist epic, notable for containing 69 wood-engraved illustrations by John Tenniel. This copy is presented in a refined three-quarter morocco binding attributed to Riviere & Son, featuring their hallmark 'bumblebee' stamp on the verso of the front free endpaper.

KEY FEATURES 
+++ Visuals: 69 illustrations on wood by John Tenniel, plus five ornamental pages of Persian design serving as section headers. 
+++ Binding: Three-quarter green morocco over ribbed matching cloth. Spine features five raised bands with elaborate gilt-tooled floral ornaments and titles. Top edge gilt (TEG). 
+++ Associated Names: Bears the 'bumblebee' device of Riviere & Son, a hallmark of one of the 19th century’s most respected London binderies. 
+++ Provenance: Small contemporary bookstore stamp in the gutter; contemporary gift inscription on the half-title page. 
+++ Imprint: Longman, Green, Longman, and Roberts (dating this specific company name variation to 1859-1862). +++ Specs: Octavo, 8 inches tall / xxiv, [2], 3-390 pages.

CONDITION Near Fine -- A Collectible copy with tight, square bindings and minimal shelf handling. Text is generally clean with light, even age-toning. As pictured: The half-title page is heavily toned due to ink bleed from the contemporary gift inscription and the last page - 390.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE 
Thomas Moore’s 'Lalla Rookh' was a defining text of 19th-century British Orientalism. This edition is particularly significant for the artistic contribution of John Tenniel, whose work here preceded his fame as the illustrator of 'Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland'.

The combination of Tenniel’s high-Victorian draftsmanship and the technical precision of a Riviere-style binding makes this a representative example of the luxury 'Gift Book' market that flourished in London during the 1860s.

SUBJECTS : Orientalism, Persian Poetry, John Tenniel, Fine Bindings, Riviere & Son, Victorian Literature, Book Arts, Fine Binding, Illustrated Book, Poetry, Rare Books.

Item #21551

Price: $250.00