Literature
ROSSETTI, Christina.
Goblin Market. Illustrated by Laurence Housman.
Macmillan, London, 1893. First edition. 12mo, a.e.g., illustrated title page, 12 plates and numerous illustrations throughout the text by Housman, endpapers slightly browned and spotted. Publisher's olive green cloth, elaborately gilt, very slight edgewear, otherwise a particularly attractive copy.
Apples and quinces/ Lemons and oranges/ Plump unpecked cherries-/ Melons and raspberries/ Bloom-down-cheeked peaches/ Swart-headed mulberries/ Wild free-born cranberries/ Crab-apples, dewberries/ Pine-apples, blackberries/ Apricots, strawberries-/ All ripe together... Apart from probably being one of the most delicious poems ever written (about forbidden fruit), Goblin Market with its ambiguous contents and Victorian euphemisms is both puzzling and challenging to the modern reader. It is as deeply religious as it is disturbing with its seemingly sexual allusions. In this edition, Housman's illustrations depicting cat-like, slightly sinister goblins in sweeping and looping lines complement the nature of the poem beautifully.
Price: £ 650
US Dollar Price: $ 980
Stock Number: 77465