Olivia's (ever growing) collection of Vintage Books #1

I’m a collector. Of feelings, words, memories, images.

But I also collect all sorts of old things; mostly postcards, paintings, and books.

Recently I have started organizing my collection of vintage books, photographing and organizing them. So, I thought I’d share some of them with you.

Today’s featured book is Poetical Works of Elizabeth Barrett Browning

I couldn’t find the date, but as soon as I saw it I knew it was pre-1900. Based on my research, it seems to be dated somewhere between 1882 and 1889. The first edition was published in 1844 when Elizabeth was 38 and this is the 12th edition.

This collection of poems was not only successful but it also brought the famous poet Robert Browning, who was 4 years her junior, into her life. They corresponded, fell in love, married in secret and moved to Italy; three years later, 43-year-old Elizabeth gave birth to their son, Robert, who went on to become a painter. I would love to find one of his paintings somewhere, someday.

Sadly, Elizabeth, who always had health issues, died when her son was only twelve years old. Her husband never remarried although he outlived her by almost three decades.

Her work influenced many writers, among them Edgar Allan Poe and Emily Dickinson, which I love.

This is one of my favorite poems of Elizabeth Barrett Browning:

How Do I Love Thee?

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

Is this poem for him? For Robert? The hopeless romantic in me thinks so…just like I’m thinking he never remarried because she was the love of his life!

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Until next time!

Keep Believing in Magic,

Olivia Lara