[A composite volume, comprising:] Werner, a tragedy. John Murray, 1823; — The Bride of Abydos. A Turkish tale. Third edition. By T. Davison, for John Murray, 1813; [POLIDORI, John] The Vampyre; A Tale. For Sherwood, Neely, and Jones, 1819; (BYRON) Suite o

First Edition of Werner; First Edition, third issue (as usual) of Polidori’s Vampyre, the gothic horror tale by Byron’s physician that was, in its first issue, mischievously attributed to Byron himself. An extremely handsome composite volume, with a contemporary fore-edge painting, showing the lavishness with which Byron’s works were often treated in the immediate aftermath of his death. From the libraries of Henrietta Maria Sarah Pole Stuart (d. 1853) and her son Charles Pole Stuart (1826–1896). Charles Pole Stuart, a JP and a practising barrister, lived at Sandymount House, Woburn Sands, Bucks.

4 items bound in one volume, 8vo. Contemporary red straight-grained morocco, covers richly gilt with gilt border composed of a repeated large stamp with a rope roll in the centre of sides, a second border with gilt and blind tools enclosing a central panel with blind stamps in corners; spine divided into six panels by low bands with a dotted gilt rule, lettered in two panels, large gilt stamp in others, gilt inner dentelles, cream coated endpapers, gilt edges. 22 engraved plates, in smaller 8vo format. Gift inscription to H. M. Stuart on first half-title (Werner) dated December 1822; armorial bookplate of Charles Pole Stuart on pastedown (another plate over it since removed). A little light foxing, principally to The Vampyre and to the later plates; light rubbing to joints. A highly attractive but unsigned binding, with a contemporary fore-edge painting under the gilt showing a Mediterranean port scene, with sea, ships, fisherfolk in the foreground, etc.