Lalla Rookh by Thomas Moore Value Guide

This antique edition of Lalla Rookh represents the 19th-century obsession with Orientalism, featuring the narrative poems that earned Thomas Moore a record-breaking 3,000 pounds. These cloth-bound volumes from 1860-1885 are highly collectible for their intricate gold leaf decorative motifs and historical significance in Victorian literature.

What affects the value of Lalla Rookh by Thomas Moore?

• The physical condition of the cloth binding and the clarity of the gold leaf gilding.
• Presence of period-accurate illustrations or engravings that often accompanied these decorative editions.
• Minimal foxing or yellowing of the internal paper pages from the 1860-1885 period.
• The specific aesthetic appeal of the cover design, as various publishers used different Orientalist motifs.

How to Identify Lalla Rookh by Thomas Moore?

• Check for the presence of elaborate gilded decorative motifs on the front cover and spine typical of the 1860-1885 era.
• Verify the publisher's imprint to confirm the United States origin and mid-to-late 19th-century printing date.
• Look for the structural combination of four narrative poems linked by a prose frame story.
• Inspect the binding for original cloth materials and period-specific gold leaf application.

History of Lalla Rookh by Thomas Moore

First published in 1817, Lalla Rookh is a series of four narrative poems connected by a prose tale. It was the most highly paid piece of poetry in history at its time, earning Thomas Moore 3,000 pounds before it was even finished. It became a global sensation, inspiring operas, ballets, and an enduring fascination with Orientalism in the 19th century.