Poems, Plays, and Essays by Oliver Goldsmith Value Guide

This late 19th-century collection showcases the literary legacy of Irish author Oliver Goldsmith, featuring his renowned plays and poetry in a classic Victorian format. These editions are highly collectible for their aesthetic contribution to library shelves, representing the era's peak in decorative cloth binding and gold leaf artistry.

What Is Poems, Plays, and Essays by Oliver Goldsmith Worth?

The typical price range for Poems, Plays, and Essays by Oliver Goldsmith is $45 - $60 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The condition of the gold leaf and gilt detailing on the cloth cover significantly impacts the $45-$60 price range.
• Structural integrity of the binding, specifically the absence of 'cockling' or spine leaning, preserves the book's market value.
• The presence of original Victorian-era illustrations or frontispiece portraits of Oliver Goldsmith.
• Minimal foxing or staining on the internal paper pages, which is common in 1880s materials.

How to Identify Poems, Plays, and Essays by Oliver Goldsmith?

• Check for the distinctive ornate Victorian binding featuring elaborate gilt designs on the spine and front cover.
• Verify the publication date or printing style consistent with the 1880-1890 era of United Kingdom origin.
• Look for the inclusion of major works such as 'The Vicar of Wakefield' and 'She Stoops to Conquer' within the table of contents.
• Examine the paper quality and the presence of gold leaf edges which were common for high-quality Victorian collected works.

History of Poems, Plays, and Essays by Oliver Goldsmith

Oliver Goldsmith was an Irish novelist, playwright, and poet, renowned for his novel 'The Vicar of Wakefield' and his play 'She Stoops to Conquer'. His works are staples of 18th-century English literature, and during the Victorian era, many editions of his collected poems, plays, and essays were published with elaborate decorative bindings, often featuring gilt designs to reflect the era's appreciation for aesthetic beauty in books.