The Bells: A Collection Of Chimes (T.B.A.) Aldrich, Thomas Bailey General 2

144 pages. Front endpaper with the small illustrated bookplate of Edmund Clarence Stedman and opposite, his penciled & initialed inscription, dated April 1906: "At last I obtain "with a great sum", this perfect copy of T.B.A.'s first book, which nearly completes my set - mostly his own firsts of his publications - E.C.S." A nice association between these author-friends of the 19th century New York publishing world. Edmund Clarence Stedman (1833 - 1908) ".moved to New York, where he worked in various businesses gained notoriety when he published the satirical 'The Diamond Wedding' in the Daily Tribune. Becoming a journalist, he formed strong alliances with Bayard Taylor, Richard Henry Stoddard, Thomas Bailey Aldrich, and other young New York writers.During a long career in which he came to be recognized as the leading critic of American poetry, the popular Stedman worked tirelessly to advance the cause of authorship." (Robert J. Scholnick in the ANB) This was the first collection of poetry by American Thomas Bailey Aldrich (1836 - 1907) New Hampshire-born author & editor whose ".early poetry, generally lyric, often follows Romantic tendencies.an immensely popular poet, novelist, and editor during his lifetime.Esteemed and respected as a major literary figure during the last half of the nineteenth century, Aldrich has fared less well in the eyes of twentieth-century critics who acknowledge his competence but see him as a part of the declining New England tradition. His poetry is prettily made but imitative, which makes Aldrich one of the better minor poets in American literature." (Robert Lee Lynch in the ANB) Approx. 5" x 7 1/2" size; bound in the publisher's dark brown cloth, gilt spine titles; a little edge, tips wear to the covers. Contents darkened, spotty; in good condition.