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1912 · ref. 6402 — Oxford: Clarendon Press 1912. Small octavo 6 9/16 x 4 3/16 inches; 167 x 106 mm. x 1-1084 pp. Printed on thin india paper. Bound by Rivière & Son ca. 1912 in full midnight blue morocco covers elaborately stamped in gilt pointille in a wonderful floral design. Red morocco doublures with an elaborate gilt design cream watered silk end leaves all edges gilt. Spine with five raised bands elaborately tooled and lettered in gilt in compartments double gilt ruled board edges. Joints very slightly cracked - almost invisible. How does one honor the expansive history poetic output in the English language That appears to be the motivating question behind the famous poetry anthology The Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900. Compiled and edited by the novelist Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch 1863-1944 also called Q this epic collection would go on to be a turn-of-the-century best-seller almost 500000 copies of the first edition. A temple of poetry this volume includes all of the greats and some hidden lyrical treasures. A spectacular binding from the house of Rivière & Son during the best years. The elaborate pointille design is almost breathtaking and the inner red morocco doublures equally pleasing. "The Riviere Bindery was one of the most notable and prolific shops in London's West End from about 1840 through 1939" Princeton. Bath-based Bayntun Bindery acquired the firm in 1939 transforming into the "Bayntun-Riviere bindery" which is still in existence and family owned. Clarendon Press unknown