Italy, a Poem by Samuel Rogers

Hardcover. Condition: Good- / Good. 1836.  T Cadell. Illustrated. Revised luxury edition.

n 1814, the poet Samuel Rogers and his sister Sarah travelled to the Continent. The pair travelled through Switzerland, across the Alps and into Italy, managing to reach Naples before news of Napoleon’s escape caused them to return home.

it was this trip that inspired him to compose his longest poem. Italy was initially deemed a failure, particularly considering his reputation as one of the foremost British poets, but Rogers was determined to make it succeed.

He quickly planned a new luxury edition, commissioning J.M.W. Turner and Thomas Stothard to produce a series of vignettes to illustrate scenes in the poem. Turner based several of his sketches made during his own travels in Italy in the 1820s. The illustrated edition was published in 1830 and was a great success.

The bookplate marks the book as belonging to Sir Edmund Anthony Harley Lechmere and it has his signature in a latter page. Sir Lechmere wa a prominent British politician, banker, and humanitarian. He is best known for his Red Cross work and for establishing the St John Ambulance Association.

Front board is detached, else this book might be considered very good condition. Clean interior with only light foxing. Light edge-ear along cover. Gorgeously bound in supple leather with gilt decor. Tightly bound and beautifully illustrated.A