[PATMORE, Coventry (1823-96)]. The Unknown Eros and Other Odes, London, 1877, 8vo, original buckram (faded), with a one-page autograph letter from the author tipped-in at the front, old bookplate of Anthony Eden. With 5 other books by Patmore. (6)

[PATMORE, Coventry  (1823-96)].  The Unknown Eros and Other Odes. Odes I. - XXXI. London: George Bell and Sons, 1877. 8vo (190 x 145mm). Half title (single spot to half title and title, not affecting letters, some very light marginal spotting and staining). Original tan buckram, the covers ruled in blind, spine label (wide strip faded at the head of the upper cover, some other fading, some minor erosion to the head and foot of spine, label lightly rubbed). Provenance: Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon (old armorial bookplate); Richard Garnett (old signature on title). FIRST EDITION of this collection of odes which includes, arguably, the author's most famous poem "The Toys" (Ode XI). Tipped-in at the front is a one-page autograph letter from the author, headed "Hastings Sept. 19, 1877," stating, "Sir, In reply to your request I beg to say that you are at liberty to print the three odes you mention in your proposed selection, and to affix my name to them, I am, Sir, Yours faithfully, C. Patmore." The letter's recipient ("Mr D. Adams"), whose identity we have been unable to establish, is added at the foot of the letter. The signature on the title page is almost certainly that of Richard Garnett (1805-1906), biographer and poet, who edited Coventry Patmore's Florilegium Amantis in 1879. "The Unknown Eros (1877) was received with much less enthusiasm than his earlier work. It contains odes marked by an erotic mysticism, but also some more autobiographical pieces (now the most anthologised), including 'The Azalea', 'Departure', 'A Farewell', directly inspired by Emily's [his first wife's] illness and death, and 'The Toys', inspired by a moment of anger and grief aroused by one of his sons" (The Oxford Companion to English Literature, ed. M. Drabble, 1985). With 5 other books by the same author, namely The Angel in the House. The Betrothal and [The Espousals] (London, 1854-56, Books I - II bound in 2 vols.), Faithful for Ever (London, 1860), The Victories of Love (London, 1863, the bookplate [accidentally] pasted in upside down at the end) and The Rod, the Root, and the Flower (London, 1895), all FIRST EDITIONS attractively bound in uniform full red morocco gilt by Roger de Coverly & Sons, each with Anthony Eden's old armorial bookplate. (6)