THE WORKS OF FRANCIS THOMPSON.

Early printing of this edition (sixth thousand). Three volumes. Contemporary dark red half calf ruled in gilt, with five raised bands, gilt ruled and decorated compartments, and titles in gilt to the spine. Gilt decorated upper and lower spine edge. Top edge gilt. Red silk ribbon bookmarks. Marbled endpapers. Illustrated with a black and white portrait frontispiece in each volume. A very good or better set, the bindings square and firm with a little rubbing, minor scuffing and a few marks to the extremities, the spines with a touch of uniform fading. The contents, with a gift inscription (dated 1915) in black ink on the reverse of the front endpaper of volume I, and some foxing to the prelims and text block edge, are otherwise clean throughout. A handsome set.

Volumes I and II comprise Poems, volume III Prose. The preface, by Thompson's literary executor 'W. M.' (Wilfrid Meynell), is dated May 1913. Francis Thompson (1859-1907) was an English poet often associated with catholic mysticism. He trained in medicine before pursuing a career as a writer in a period that saw him becoming addicted to opium and living on the streets of London. He was discovered by the literary couple Alice and Wilfrid Meynell who offered him shelter and published his poetry, and it was under their patronage that Thompson created the greater part of his body of work.