Written In English
This elegantly bound copy of Selected Poems of Francis Thompson, published by Methuen & Co. Ltd. and Burns and Oates Ltd. in London, is a poetic tribute to one of the more spiritually inclined voices of the late Victorian literary scene. While the exact date of this edition isn’t shown in the provided pages, most similar editions were published between 1910 and 1925, after Thompson’s death in 1907. This volume includes a biographical note by Wilfrid Meynell, the Catholic publisher and writer who discovered and championed Thompson, making it both a literary and biographical offering.
Francis Thompson (1859–1907) is best remembered for his mystical and religious poetry, infused with themes of suffering, beauty, redemption, and divine pursuit. The most famous example is “The Hound of Heaven,” a deeply spiritual poem describing God’s relentless pursuit of the human soul. This collection was likely compiled posthumously to preserve and celebrate Thompson’s unique voice, which stood out at a time when poetry was shifting from romanticism to early modernist introspection. His deeply Catholic imagery, lyrical intensity, and raw vulnerability made him a revered figure, especially within religious literary circles. This edition was aimed at keeping his works accessible to new generations of readers and preserving his place in the English poetic canon.
This particular copy is beautifully bound in half calf leather with gilt spine detailing, raised bands, and green cloth-covered boards—an elegant presentation typical of early 20th-century fine bindings. The spine is especially appealing, with gilt floral and decorative motifs that strike a balance between restraint and refinement. The edges of the pages appear to be gilt-topped, another hallmark of a well-bound edition designed for collectors or private libraries.
Condition:
In terms of condition, the book is in very good shape overall. The leather spine is clean with only mild sunning and a touch of softening to the head and tail. The gilt titles and decoration are bright and legible. The green cloth boards show only minor shelf wear and rubbing to the corners. There’s some gentle wear to the board edges, but the binding is strong and the hinges remain firm. Internally, the pages are clean and bright, with only slight age toning and minimal foxing on the preliminaries. The tissue-guarded frontispiece portrait of Thompson is well-preserved, adding to the book’s charm and biographical depth.
