TENNYSON, Alfred Lord. The Works of Alfred Lord Tennyson. (SIGNED & INSCRIBED THREE TIMES BY TENNYSON TO HIS INTIMATE FRIEND, SIR JAMES THOMAS KNOWLES SECOND COLLECTED EDITION - 6 VOLUMES)

AUTHOR: TENNYSON, Alfred Lord 

TITLE: The Works of Alfred Lord Tennyson.

PUBLISHER: London: Strahan & Co., 1872-73

DESCRIPTION: SIGNED & INSCRIBED THREE TIMES BY TENNYSON TO HIS INTIMATE FRIEND, SIR JAMES THOMAS KNOWLES SECOND COLLECTED EDITION. 6 vols.,  inscribed in volumes one and five "T. J. Knowles from A. Tennyson", additionally signed under the frontis by Tennyson and dated 1872.  Bound in the publisher's original gilt decorated green cloth, top edges gilt.

CONDITION: Volume one spine relined with the original spine laid down, some light rubbing to the head and foot of some spines but overall a good set.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: This collected edition is preceded only by the 10 volume 1870 Strahan edition. This edition contains the first publication of two early sonnets and the first reprinting of 15 other poems.

James Thomas Knowles (1831-1906) was a Victorian editor and architect in London for 30 years, and founder & editor of the journal "The Nineteenth Century".  The DNB supplement notes "in 1866 he called on Tennyson at Freshwater and became an intimate friend for life".  Kowles treasured his friendship with Tennyson as testified by Knowles in the Jan. 1893 issue of "The Nineteenth Century": "Then and for many years after [about 30], under his roof or under mine, it was my great privilege to know him intimately; and the more he was known, the more impressive were his greatness, tenderness and truth."