The Library of Choice Literature: Prose and Poetry Selected from the Most Admired Authors

Complete 8-volume set. x. 400pp; vi, 384pp; viii, 384pp; iv, 384pp; viii, 384pp; iv, 384pp; iv, 400pp; vi, 420pp. All edges gilt. Engraved title pages + tissue-guarded frontispieces, numerous called-for tissue-guarded full-page engravings. Near fine. Faintest of mild binding edgewear only, with couple of mars and scrapes, else superbly tight and handsome. Later printing of this massive 1881 compilation in tight, bright condition and with interesting autograph addition: Tipped to front flyleaf of first volume is a heavy stock 4" X 2½" card boldly signed in brown ink "Ainsworth R. Spofford / Librarian of Congress." Very good. Minor age toning. New England bookseller Spofford (1825-1908) joined the Library of Congress in 1861 and in 1864 Lincoln appointed him chief librarian -- a position he held until 1897, during which time he modernized that venerable institution. A gorgeous set adorned with the signature of its co-editor, sixth Librarian of Congress.