The Angel of the House and Espousals 2 Volumes

London: John Parker & Son, 1856. Hardcover. Very Good. Hardcover. First Editions. Inscribed by the author, “With the author’s compliments” in first volume. The Angel of the House became extremely popular in its time, and the title became a Victorian phrase used to describe the ideal wife/woman. Patmore wrote this about his wife, Emily, whom he thought was perfect. John Everett Millais painted her portrait and used the same title as the book. After the first book there were three subsequent installments. This and the first installment formed a coherent poem. The later two were a separate poem inspired by the first. Bound in original rippled brown cloth with paper spine labels. Rubbed and bumped, and tears to The Espousals label. Interior pages generally very good. Pastedown to first volume stained and has remains of a bookplate. Second volume has a light ink inscription on pastedown and a pencil drawing and signature on the free front endpaper. Volume I: 191 pages; Volume II: 182 pages plus 16 page publisher catalog. LIT/040912.