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Identification

The Complete Poetical Works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Cambridge Edition

Photo reference

4 uploaded photos

Overview

Definitively identified via title page and spine as the Cambridge Edition published by Houghton, Mifflin and Company. The copyright page and publisher's note dated October 1, 1893, strongly anchor the printing to the 1890s.

Story

Published by Houghton, Mifflin and Company in 1893 as part of their highly successful 'Cambridge Edition' series. This series was specifically designed to provide definitive, single-volume scholarly editions of major poets for middle-class home libraries. The market for late 19th-century standard publisher's editions of classic American poets is highly saturated. While decorative bindings retain some appeal as 'shelf decor,' reading copies are abundant.

Maker / Origin

Houghton, Mifflin and Company

Condition & Value

Based on the provided details, the exterior shows typical edge wear to the original maroon publisher's cloth and spine caps, which is consistent with its age and standard for reading copies.

Full Research

See what it's actually worth.

Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

Market Analysis

The market for late 19th-century standard publisher's editions of classic American poets is highly saturated. While decorative bindings retain some appeal as 'shelf decor,' reading copies are abundant. Buyers are typically casual collectors, decorators, or literature enthusiasts, and prices remain relatively flat and accessible unless the copy features a fine leather binding, significant provenance, or pristine condition.

Value Drivers

▲ Exact match to the 1893 Cambridge Edition anchors the baseline value

▲ Original publisher's maroon cloth binding retains classic decorative appeal

▲ Verified AbeBooks comp at $35.60 establishes a reliable mid-market retail expectation

Concerns

▼ Unverified internal condition—cracked hinges or heavy foxing would drop the value toward the $12 floor

▼ Lack of notable provenance or fine binding limits the ceiling compared to premium auction copies

Best Venue

List on standard secondary market platforms like eBay or AbeBooks as a 'Buy It Now' priced competitively between $30 and $40. Ensure the listing includes clear photos of the title page, copyright page, and the interior hinges to assure buyers of its structural condition.

Upside Potential

If the unverified interior reveals a notable signature, a gift inscription from a prominent historical figure, or exceptionally pristine, unread pages with tight hinges, the value could push toward the $60-$75 range, aligning with provenance-enhanced comparable listings.

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Also found — market-range context

Related comps outside the valuation band· 4 comps

Surfaced during research but not used to anchor the valuation — wrong form, species, era, or no published price. Shown so the market range around this item is visible.

  • AbeBooks
    The Complete Poetical Works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (Cambridge Edition, in Fine Binding)
    Fine binding is a different market tier than the standard publisher's cloth binding.
    $100
  • Sequitur Books
    The Complete Poetical Works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (Cambridge Edition, in Fine Binding)
    Fine binding is a different market tier than the standard publisher's cloth binding.
    $98
  • AbeBooks
    The Complete Poetical Works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Cambridge Edition
    Excerpt reveals this is a 2013 paperback reprint, not the 1890s original.
    $57
  • Etsy
    1893 The Complete Poetical Works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Antique Red Hardcover Book, Houghton Mifflin and Company, Cambridge Edition
    Sale on record but hammer price not published.
    No price