BROWNING, Elizabeth Barrett (1806-61). Poems Before Congress, London, 1860, 8vo, half title, contemporary crushed morocco by R. D. Canape. FIRST EDITION.

BROWNING, Elizabeth Barrett (1806-61).  Poems Before Congress. London: Chapman and Hall, 1860. 8vo (188 x 125mm). Half title, one-page of publisher's advertisements at the end (clean closed marginal tear to title). Contemporary tan crushed morocco by R. D. Canape, spine lettered in gilt with 5 raised bands, gilt dentelles, top edges gilt, others uncut, green silk marker (upper cover detached, piece torn away from head of spine, joints rubbed). Provenance: later bookseller's printed catalogue description for this copy laid down at the foot of the first front free endpaper, describing the binding as "Jansenist", and further stating, "... Laid in, is an Autograph Letter Signed: 'Elizabeth Barret Browning' ...", a letter which is, sadly, no longer present; some later pencil annotation to another front free endpaper ("... a little memento of Arnold's visit"). FIRST EDITION of this collection of seven poems, the first six of which were written in support of the unification and independence of Italy and whose stridently political nature damaged the author's reputation; the last ("A Curse for a Nation") being an attack on slavery in the United States. Barnes A Bibliography of Elizabeth Barrett Browning A12.