The first edition known as "blue and gold edition" of "The Poetical Works of John Greenleaf Whittier", issued in July 1857 as result of the negotiations between Benjamin Mussey, who published abridged selection of Whittier's poems in 1849, and James Fields from Ticknor and Fields. In 1857, Mussey released the copyright, which made it possible to published a complete edition combining older poems with the poems written after 1849 (see The Letters J.G. Whittier, Harvard Univ. Press, 1975,p.321)

"The Poetical Works" of John Greenleaf Whittier, Complete in Two Volumes [volume one only]; published by Ticknor and Fields, Boston, 1857 [mdccclvii -1857 is imprinted on the title page, "1857" on the copyright page]. Embossed hard covers; original publisher's blue cloth; gold stamped spine; frontispiece portrait of Whittier engraved by Schoff (signed in plate).

Contents of the Volume one:

"Note by the Author" dated Amesbury, 18th March 1857

POEMS: The Bridal of Pennacook. Mogg Megone
LEGENDARY
The Merrimack
The Norsemen
Cassandra Southwick
St.John...The Fountain;...The Exiles
VOICES OF FREEDOM. 39 poems
MISCELLANEOUS Poems
NOTES

US: Priority (c 2-4 days) ----- $20.50
Canada: Express (c 5-7 days) -- $51.50
World: Express (c 5-10 days) -- $69.50

Embossed hard covers; original publisher's blue cloth; gold stamped spine (some cloth wear and creases); cream-brown endpapers; pencil inscription "Kate Reynolds from her friend Wm. H. Church, 13'July 1858" is written on the back of the first blank page;3.1/2" x 5.1/2"; 320 pages; all page-edges are gilt; some shelf wear; very good condition.