Lorna Doone: A Romance of Exmoor

"Lorna Doone" - A Romance of Exmoor, by R.D. Blackmore. There is no date of publication stated, but the set is likely from the late 19th century; Porter & Coates; Philadelphia. Complete in two volumes with beautiful gilt decorations on the front covers and gilt page edges at the top edge of the text block. Both volumes are illustrated with full-page plates - there is text on the tissue paper over each plate that describes the illustration. Each volume has a ribbon page marker.

LORNA DOONE
First published in 1869, Lorna Doone is the story of John Ridd, a farmer who finds love amid the religious and social turmoil of seventeenth-century England. He is just a boy when his father is slain by the Doones, a lawless clan inhabiting wild Exmoor on the border of Somerset and Devon. Seized by curiosity and a sense of adventure, he makes his way to the valley of the Doones, where he is discovered by the beautiful Lorna. In time their childish fantasies blossom into mature love—a bond that will inspire John to rescue his beloved from the ravages of a stormy winter, rekindling a conflict with his archrival, Carver Doone, that climaxes in heartrending violence. Beloved for its portrait of star-crossed lovers and its surpassing descriptions of the English countryside, Lorna Doone is R. D. Blackmore's enduring masterpiece.


Condition:
Clean front covers w/bright gilt designs; gilt lettering on spine has somewhat faded; very light wear to bottom corner tips of Vol I; small cloth tear to bottom corner tips of Vol II; light fraying to top/bottom edges of spine; stain spot at upper-right corner and dampstaining at bottom edge of back cover of Vol I . Both volumes are tightly bound. No splits. No loose pages. Inscription in pen on rear end paper of Vol I. Bookplates affixed to front pastedowns of both vols. Page 473 to the end of Vol I (about 25 pgs) have light wrinkling from dampstaining - the most significant damage from this dampstaining occurs on page 501, the illustration that precedes it, and the tissue paper over the illustration, where there is a quarter-sized pink stain at the lower-outer corner. Aside from this cluster of pages at the back of Vol I, the remaining pages of both volumes are in very good condition - clean with no other stains found and no writing foxing or tears. Vol I ribbon is detached.