Joan of Arc by Robert Southey 1867 Illustrated by John Gilbert Victorian Poetry Book
Joan of Arc – Ballads, Lyrics, and Minor Poems By Robert Southey | Illustrated by John Gilbert | Routledge’s British Poets | 1867
Overview
A striking Victorian poetry volume by Robert Southey, Poet Laureate of England, featuring Joan of Arc alongside ballads, lyrics, and minor poems. This 1867 edition forms part of Routledge’s British Poets series and is especially notable for its eight engraved plates by the celebrated illustrator John Gilbert – a major draw for collectors of illustrated books.
Title & Authorship
• Title: Joan of Arc – Ballads, Lyrics, and Minor Poems
• Author: Robert Southey
• Series: Routledge’s British Poets
• Illustrator: John Gilbert
Publishing & Printing
• Publisher: George Routledge & Sons, The Broadway, Ludgate, London
• Date: 1867
• Printer: Savill & Edwards, Chandos Street, London
• Binding: Original publisher’s cloth
About the Illustrator – John Gilbert (1817–1897)
John Gilbert was one of the most important Victorian book illustrators, renowned for his dramatic engraved plates for literary classics including Shakespeare, Milton, and Walter Scott. His work is highly collectible, especially when present in complete plate sets with tissue guards, as in this volume.
This book contains eight engraved plates by John Gilbert, each with its original protective tissue – a strong value-enhancing feature.
Literary & Historical Context
Robert Southey (1774–1843) was Poet Laureate from 1813 until his death and a central figure of British Romanticism. Joan of Arc is one of his most ambitious narrative poems, blending history, moral reflection, and lyrical drama.
This Routledge edition reflects the Victorian era’s reverence for Southey’s legacy and is elevated further by the powerful visual storytelling of John Gilbert, whose engravings enhance the emotional and historical depth of the work.
Illustrations
• 8 engraved plates by John Gilbert
• All with original tissue guards
• Plates located at: frontispiece; facing pp. 3, 141, 306, 327, 385, 391, 407
Binding & Exterior Condition
• Original blue blind-stamped cloth over boards and spine
• Gilt decoration and lettering to front board and spine
• Binding sound and robust
• Light general wear consistent with age
• Small/light marks and patches of fading
• Bumping and rubbing to edges and corners
• Very small rips at head and tail of spine
• Spine shows fading and gentle creasing
Interior Condition
• Pages only very lightly tanned – bright for age
• Predominantly clean and uncreased
• All xxiv + 469 pages present, plus publisher’s catalogue
• Rough-cut lower edges to a few pages
• Light pencil remnants on front free endpaper
• Small light stain beside the frontispiece
• Occasional faint marks not affecting text
• Small inner margin rips between pastedowns and free endpapers only
• A few light gutter cracks, but no structural impact
• Binder’s label on back pastedown:
“Bound by W. Bone & Son, 75 Fleet Street, London”
Size & Weight
• Approx. 17 × 11 × 3.4 cm
• Approx. 433 grams