1816-17 The Prisoner of Chillon, Manfred, The Lament of Tasso

Description

Early Edition, First Edition, Leather Binding

Three of Lord Byron's poetical works bound in one volume.

'The Prisoner of Chillon', the first edition, first issue, with page 61 blank and a list of poems to page 62. Half-title is present, the four pages of adverts dated November 1816 are bound to the rear of the volume. This narrative poem chronicles the four year imprisonment of Francois Bonivard, a Genevois monk, from 1532 to 1536. 

'Manfred', the first edition, second issue, with Hamlet quote to the title page and Davison imprint to the verso of the final leaf. Half-title is present, lacking the adverts. A closet drama with supernatural elements, written a few months after the famous ghost-writing session with the Shelleys.

'The Lament of Tasso', the fourth edition. Half-title is present, and twelve pages of adverts to the rear, dated July 1817. This is a dramatic monologue, based on the legend of Torquato Tasso's tragic love of Leonora d'Este.

Byron was inspired for 'The Prisoner of Chillon' when sailing on Lake Geneva with Percy Bysshe Shelley, on their infamous trip that birthed 'Frankenstein'. Byron and Percy visited the Chateau du Chillon.

Prior owner's ink inscription to the recto of the front endpaper.