Songs of Three Centuries – Edited by J. G. Whittier (1880 Hardcover, Houghton, Osgood & Co., Riverside Press, Cambridge)

This 1880 Riverside Press edition of Songs of Three Centuries, edited by poet John Greenleaf Whittier, is a stunning example of late 19th-century bookmaking. Bound in deep green cloth with elaborate gold artwork on the spine and cover, it reflects the beauty and craftsmanship of its era. The typography on the cover is stunning.

The book shows its age with grace: the cover is worn but intact, the spine is loose yet still holding, and a few pages are marked or coming free. Care must be taken when handling, but it remains a work of art as much as a reading copy.

Condition: Fair antique condition. Cover worn, spine loose but secure, some pages marked and a few loosening. Aged patina consistent with its 145 years.

About the Editor & the Work:
John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–1892) was one of America’s “Fireside Poets,” remembered for his abolitionist writings as well as his lyrical verse. Songs of Three Centuries brings together a wide-ranging anthology of English and American poetry, showcasing voices across eras in a beautifully produced volume.