"The "Oxford Edition" Poems of Adam Lindsay Gordon presents the collected verse of one of the defining literary figures of colonial Australia. Edited by Frank Maldon Robb, a Melbourne barrister and noted Gordon scholar, this substantial edition was published by Humphrey Milford for Oxford University Press in 1923. It includes an engraved portrait frontispiece of Gordon and was prepared with an introduction, notes and appendices, providing both Gordon's poetry and useful scholarly context for his life and work.
Adam Lindsay Gordon (1833-1870) occupies a distinctive place in Australian literary history, particularly for poetry inspired by horses, racing, bush life and the Australian landscape. A skilled horseman and steeplechase rider himself, Gordon brought first-hand experience to the vigorous riding and sporting verse for which he became famous. His work, including such enduring pieces as The Sick Stockrider and The Swimmer, helped establish a recognisably Australian tradition of popular verse and exerted considerable influence upon later bush poets. His reputation eventually became such that in 1934 he became the first Australian writer commemorated with a bust in Poets' Corner at Westminster Abbey.
This copy is particularly attractive in its presentation leather binding, with textured black leather boards, gilt "A. L. GORDON" lettering to the front and gilt titling to the spine. The text block has striking red-coloured edges, while the rounded corners and flexible leather construction give the volume the appearance of a deluxe personal or presentation edition. Showing genuine age and use to the exterior while retaining a handsome character, it is a desirable early twentieth-century edition of Gordon's poetry with strong appeal to collectors of Australian literature, colonial poetry, equestrian and sporting history."
Light wear and fading to covers with minor splits to outer spine hinges as shown. Small prior owner name present. Includes frontis. Gilt edges gleaming bright. Pages clean and well presented. A nice copy in very good condition overall. Please study photos to further understand condition.
