The Raven and Other Poems

Birmingham, Michigan: Fine Book Circle, 1936. Rare limited edition of Poe classics illustrated with the sharply dramatic designs of Paul McPharlin. From limitation page: "Of this volume for the Fine Book Circle there are 950 copies, designed and illustrated by Paul McPharlin, and printed in Detroit." Tall 6 1/2" x 9 3/4" design. Deep black full cloth boards, silver cover and spine titles, publisher's symbol, and Poe in silver at back board, moderate shelf wear, bow. Thick, rough-cut deckled manila-like pages in light rose hue, very good; no writing, slight bleed to first couple page edges. Endpapers feature a vertical impressionistic column pattern. Black top-stain. Bind fine; hinges fully intact. Intriguing art nouveau monochromatic chiaroscuro imagery in silver hue on black leaves. Near very good example of this rarity. Paul McPharlin (1903-48) was a puppeteer, and illustrator, who created some twenty productions in Detroit between 1928 and 1937. He is remembered as a skillful performer and inventive puppet maker. He is a founding member of the Puppeteers of America. These illustrations, thus, are highly intriguing and striking. From introductory note: "This collection of Edgar Allan Poe includes those empyrean and phantasmagoric pieces on which his fame rests. The 1845 edition of The Raven and Other Poems bore a dedication to Miss Elizabeth Barrett Barrett - the noblest of her sex, the author of The Drama in Exile." Collection includes: The Raven, The Valley of Unrest; Bridal Ballad; The Sleeper; The Coliseum; Lenore; Catholic Hymn; Israfel; Dreamland; Sonnet: To Zante; The City In the Sea; To One In Paradise; Eulallie: A Song; To ....; To F.S.O.; Sonnet: Silence; The Haunted Palace; Sonnet: To Science; Al Aaraaf; Tamerlane; Romane; Fairyland; To Helen; Annabel Lee; The Bells, Eldorado; Ulalume; For Annie; To My Mother; A Dream Within A Dream; and, Alone. Insured post.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Good. Illus. by McPharlin, Paul. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall.