The Ring and the Book (complete in 4 vols.)

London: Smith, Elder and Co, 1872. Second edition. Hardcover. vg-. 12mo. Vol.1: 245pp. + (6) pages of other works by the publisher. Vol.2: 251pp. Vol.3: 250pp. Vol.4: 235pp. Maroon cloth boards with black ruling and beveled edges. Gilt lettering on spines. From the library of Lady Alice Shaw Stewart. The set is the second edition of the acclaimed epic narrative poem and verse novel by Browning. The story is to this day one of the most acclaimed and best selling by the author, renowned for its long dramatic monologues. Bindings with some light smudges and staining to covers. Heads & tails of spines, as well as corners with some rubbing. Some spotting and dust along top and side edges of book. Ex-libris of Alice Shaw Stewart at interior front covers. Some light foxing to front free endpapers, title pages and/or table of contents of some volumes, as well as some minor sporadic foxing throughout on some. Bindings and interiors in overall very good- condition. Lady Alice Emma Shaw-Stewart, CBE (1863 - January, 26th 1942) was an English/Scottish noblewoman, who married Scottish Baron and politician, Sir Hugh Shaw Stewart, 8th Baronet, in 1883. She served as Clerk of the Peace in Renfrewshire, and after WWI she was active in establishing charity organizations for the British armed forces. In 1920 she received the Order of Commander of the Order of the British Empire. During WWII she helped covert the family residence, Ardgowan House, into an army hospital.