The Model for the Wise Forgeries
Two Poems.
London: Chapman & Hall, 1854.
Price: $450.00
About the item
One of an estimated 300 copies. 15, [1] pp. 1 vols. 8vo. The Model for the Wise Forgeries. Bound in three quarter brown morocco and marbled boards, with original printed wrappers bound in. Morocco ex-libris of Alexander McGrigor on front pastedown. Corners a bit scuffed, small stain to front wrapper. Ashley Library I p. 110; Wise E.B.B. 15; Tinker 406.
Item #227566
Poems written by the Brownings for the Ragged Schools, consisting of "A Plea for the Ragged Schools of London," by Elizabeth, and "The Twins," by Robert. The Brownings paid for the printing costs and donated the proceeds to the schools. Years later, Wise and Forman copied the format of this genuine printing to produce their forgeries, claiming that the format of TWO POEMS was inspired by their forgery of THE RUNAWAY SLAVE (supposedly printed in 1849); in fact, the reverse was the case.
