The 1857 Moxon Tennyson

Dante Gabriel Rossetti, The Palace of Art, 1857

Remember to take a close look at items 8-11 in the Pre-Raphaelites and the Book exhibition downstairs in the NGA's Library Gallery. The Moxon Tennyson (no. 8) is a justly famous book, and to see the proof prints after illustrations by Hunt (no. 9) and Rossetti (no. 10, left) is a rare treat. Compare Hunt's treatment of "The Lady of Shallot" in 1857 to his painting that concludes the main exhibition. The similarities are perhaps more striking than the differences given that nearly fifty years separate the two works.

I want to share the following essay for three reasons. First, it's a great example of historical research that's written in an engaging style. Second, it gives a very full account of the publication, reception, and influence of the Moxon Tennyson. And third, it's a successful example of what some people call the "web essay." Any student who would like to submit his or her final essay in this form (preferably as a pdf) is welcome to do so. Noticce how Janzsen-Kooistra's essay retains all the documentation features of traditional research writing: "The Moxon Tennyson as Textual Event."

One last related item that's too good not to share is a page from Leonard Roberts Bookseller in Vancouver with an amazing variation in binding designs: Tennyson Moxon Bindings.