Poe, The Raven (1884, Dore´ Illustrations)
Greg’s Fourth Blog Post November 27, 2023
Gustave Doré did not write “The Raven” but illustrated it. “The Raven” is a narrative poem and Doré, created illustrations for “The Raven” that were included in this deluxe edition of Poe’s work published by Harper & Brothers in 1884. Harper & Brothers was a prominent American publishing company, so we know this book would have been printed in the United States. The fifth page in the book or title page confirms this with the publishers mark Franklin Square, NY. In 1884, Harper & Brothers was a major publishing house located in New York City. The obvious is in plain sight, but I wanted to know with more precision.
I was able to track down the exact location……1884, Harper & Brothers was located at Franklin Square in New York City, the address was 331 Pearl Street.
Now we can give this particular book that is now located in the Wesleyan Special Collections library a birth certificate, hopefully no death certificate for many years to come. So, what happened to this book between 1884 and 2023?
We know that it traveled from Pearl Street in NYC to the Wesleyan campus somehow. In 1884 the main modes of transportation were ship, horse and carriage, and train. Looking at an image of Harper & Brothers from 1884, I see a horse drawn carriage. I might assume this book left the building and was transported to a local store by manual push cart, or to a train station, or dock by a horse drawn utility wagon of some sort.
After that the life of the book between then and now is a big unknown and we can only make assumptions and hypothesize based on the evidence at hand.
Do to the size of the book 18.5”x 14.5” or 36cm x 47cm it is unlikely this book was carried around on a regular basis like a pocket bible. This book likely spent much of its time sitting on a shelf rather than in someone’s pocket or bag due to its size and being not an easy size to transport. In the next few images we will look at some of the wear and tear and evidence this book gives us to speculate how this book may have been used or handled.
The above images are of the front and rear covers, we can see scratches, rounded corners some drips or staining from a substance on the rear cover, all signs of everyday used wear and tear. The darkness around the edges maybe from oil or dirt on hands of people that held it, or that fact that it was a larger book and light shined on the book because it stuck out higher or longer than other books on the shelf. To me, this could also mean that it was pushed in between other books on a shelf, pulled in and out of a book bag causing scratches and worn edges. This was a book that was used.
The images above of the outside fabric covered cover showing the physical wear and tear.
Inside the book is evidence of a possible owner prior to Wesleyan, or one of its readers or users. The image below is on one of the intro pages and we can see a hand written name with some numbers and the date 1884.
Further investigation and puzzle piecing on the inside cover shows the same name as the person who presented the book to Wesleyan, William Husted. Again with its assigned filing numbers from Wesleyan. These numbers appear in different locations in the book much like a motor vehicle identification number VIN or boat hull identification number. They are always placed in multiple locations so that they can be identified in the case of damage or loss.
It is clear from the images below that a library most likely Wesleyan took ownership of this book and made it available to students as a book that was catalogued and could be checked out. The binding of the book has hand written numbers and letters for filing in the stacks and a card pocket for students to check the book out using the antiquated card and stamp system. The hand written numbers and letters are the same as on the outside of the binding and on the inside cover with the presentation label, so I think it is safe to say this was used for filing. Were these numbers placed inside the book in case the numbers on the binding become worn away and illegible? Is this the same reasoning behind a VIN # on a vehicle?
The book has been repaired as the end paper and paste down in the front and back of the book is glued on Wesleyan branded paper with the card slot used for checking the book out from the library. This also is a clue to me as to why the book is so heavily worn, it was likely in general circulation at the library before placement in special reserves. While in general circulation the book was likely checked out and then returned back via a return box drop slot or area at the library where it received some of its damage.
Though being heavily worn, it is remarkable how well intact it is given its age. I would love to know where this book has traveled, how it traveled, whose hands held it, whose eyes peered across the pages, it is all a mystery with only a few clues regarding its past history. I would love to put an electronic tag on the book that could record it readers, handlers, locations, and track it over the next 25 years. I have certainly been privileged in being part of this books history having touched the pages, read the poem, and viewed the beautiful images within. Who will be the next? Wesleyan has recognized this is a special book and is now in a special location and environment aimed at preserving it and making it available to many others for years and hopefully centuries to come.