Browning, Robert.

8vo, first edition, presentation copy inscribed by the author on the half-title in the year after publication ("The Lord Archbishop of Dublin, | from Robert Browning. | London, May 18. '65"), advertisements at the end, original rose cloth, stamped in blind and gilt, preserved in specially made chemise and blue quarter-morocco slipcase, lightly rubbed, spine sunned

Broughton, Northup, and Pearsall A69; Wise 11

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A inscribed presentation copy of the first edition of Browning's first major collection of dramatic monologues.

"May and Death" had previously appeared in The Keepsake; "Gold Hair," "Prospice," and "Under the Cliff" from "James Lee" in Atlantic Monthly. "Gold Hair" was privately printed, probably about 1890 [a Thomas Wise forgery] but with the date 1864. The group has remained intact in all eds. of Browning, but two short poems, "Euridice to Orpheus" and "Deaf and Dumb," were added to it in 1868. The former had appeared previously, printed as prose, in the Royal Academy Exhibition Cat. of 1864. "Gold Hair," "A Death in the Desert," and "James Lee" underwent important changes in later printings. The title of the latter became "James Lee's Wife" in the collected ed. of 1868. Changes to other poems consisted in large part of repunctuation and slight changes in diction. (p. 14)"