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Antique 1913 The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar 3/4 Leather Binding Gilt## The Story Behind the Treasure
Step into the world of early 20th-century literature with this rare, elegantly bound antique edition of **The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar**, published in **1913** by **Dodd, Mead and Company**. Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872–1906) was one of the first African American poets to achieve national and international acclaim. Born to emancipated parents, his work brilliantly captures the nuanced Black American experience of the Reconstruction era through both soaring standard English verse and rich, soul-stirring regional dialect poetry. While the standard 1913 trade editions were issued in basic blue cloth, this specific antique treasure features a **luxurious, custom three-quarter teal-green leather binding** paired with classic marbled boards and matching inner endpapers. Adding to its unique provenance is an exquisite antique \"Ex Libris\" bookplate belonging to *Ron Lewis*, complete with a highly detailed engraving of a tall ship and a terrestrial globe. Boasting a heavy ribbed spine with gilded leaf accents, a striking bright gold gilt top edge, and beautiful **rough-cut deckled text block edges**, this volume is a lovely addition any curated library.
---## Item Specifics & Attributes
* **Title:** The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar
* **Author:** Paul Laurence Dunbar
* **Publisher:** Dodd, Mead and Company (New York)
* **Publication Year:** 1913
* **Binding:** Hardcover, Custom 3/4 Leather with Marbled Boards & Endpapers
* **Special Features:** Antique Custom Bookplate, Gilt Top Edge, Deckled Text Block, Ribbed & Gilded Spine
* **Language:** English
* **Pages:** 289 pages, printed in double columns
---## Condition Report
This antique volume is in **Good to Very Good antique condition** given its 110+ years of age.
* **Exterior:** The custom three-quarter teal-green leather shows minor surface rubbing and light scuffing along the outer spine joints, raised bands, and corner tips. There is mild age-toning and faint foxing to the marbled paper boards.
* **Spine:** The spine remains structurally strong, secure, and securely attached to the binding. Gold leaf lettering and accents remain clear and visible.
* **Interior:** The pages are remarkably clean with no major tears, writing, or harsh annotations noted on the text. Natural age-toning/browning is present to the paper stock, and the beautiful, uneven **deckled paper edges** are well-preserved. The gold gilt on the top edge remains beautifully bright.
* *Please review all high-resolution listing photos for an exact visual assessment of the condition.*
---## Shipping & Handling
* **Handling Time:** Safely packed and shipped within **1-2 business days** of cleared payment.
* **Packaging:** Shipped securely via USPS Media Mail (or selected expedited services) inside a sturdy box wrapped in protective cushioning to preserve the historic binding.✨ *Thank you for stopping by our shop! We hunt the finest curated vintage decor, premium collectibles, and seasonal treasures so you don’t have to. We invite you to check out the other premier items in our store and follow our profile to see fresh treasures arriving weekly!*
