The Poetical Works of George Herbert and Reginald Heber | Gall & Inglis ca. 1880

A richly decorated Victorian edition of The Poetical Works of George Herbert and Reginald Heber, published by Gall & Inglis in London and Edinburgh around 1880.

This substantial volume brings together the work of two major figures in English religious poetry. George Herbert (1593-1633) was a poet and Anglican priest and is considered one of the most famous metaphysical poets of the 17th century. Reginald Heber (1783-1826), Bishop of Calcutta, gained fame primarily for his religious poetry and hymns.

The edition contains biographical memoirs and is illustrated with steel engravings. Particularly attractive is the original red-brown publisher's binding, richly decorated with black ornamentation and gold lettering. Centrally located on the front cover is a large gilded decoration with the names Herbert & Heber. The spine is also elaborately decorated and the edges of the pages are fully gilded.

A characteristic Victorian edition in which religious literature, book illustration and decorative bookbinding come together.

• Title: The Poetical Works of George Herbert and Reginald Heber
• Authors: George Herbert (1593-1633) and Reginald Heber (1783-1826)
• Publisher: Gall & Inglis
• Place: London and Edinburgh
• Date: ca. 1880
• Language: English
• Subject: English poetry, religious poetry, Christian literature
• Illustrations: steel engravings
• Binding: original decorated publisher's binding in red-brown cloth
• Decoration: black ornamentation and gold lettering
• Page edges: fully gilded
• Height: ca. 18.5 cm
• Thickness: ca. 3.5 cm
• Period: Victorian, late 19th century
• Condition: fair to good antiquarian condition with foxing, signs of age and wear to the spine and edges