The thousand best poems in the world, selected and arranged by E.W. Cole (E. Hope).

Compiled by Edward William Cole, the eccentric proprietor of Melbourne's famous Cole's Book Arcade, this anthology was first published in the late 19th century as part of a series intended to make literature accessible to the masses. Cole was a prominent bookseller and advocate for universal education who believed that poetry could foster moral improvement and social harmony. By aggregating selections from a vast range of English-language writers, he aimed to provide a comprehensive and affordable treasury for the common reader.

The editorial style of the collection reflects Cole's personal enthusiasm for inspirational and didactic verse, often categorized by theme to assist the reader in finding solace or guidance. While the selection process was subjective rather than academic, the volumes achieved significant popularity across the British Empire, serving as a staple in many domestic libraries. The work remains a noteworthy artifact of turn-of-the-century Australian publishing history, embodying the populist ideals of its compiler.