8vo. 2 volumes. Vol 1: 173, [2]. Vol 2: 173, [2]. First Vale Press edition, one of 217 copies printed. Edited by Charles J. Holmes and decorated by Charles Ricketts, under whose supervision the book was printed at the Ballantyne Press. A wonderful binding of contemporary green morocco in the levant style. Bound by “Riviere & Son” for booksellers “Henry Sotheran & co. 37 Piccadilly – London”. Binder’s signature is discretely printed on the FFEP’s verso. Gilt flowers and frame adorn both the covers and spine. Five raised bands on the spine. Gilt top edges. Marbled endpapers. Front cover of volume 1 has been rebacked as a supportive measure, retaining both the original leather cover and spine. This has been done to such a level of skill that it is barely visible. Internally the book is impeccable. There is the bookplate on the FEP of both volumes, reading “E Libri. Roberti. Marchionis. De. Crewe”. This likely belonged to Robert Crewe-Milnes, 1st Marquess of Crewe (1858 – 1945), a British politician and possessor of an immense library. Scarce first Vale Press edition of the Poems of John Keats. Of particular note are the double-page illustrated title pages and decorative initials designed by Ricketts himself.
