Gower, John

folio (267 x 182mm.), Black Letter, title within woodcut border (McKerrow and Ferguson 26), woodcut initials, eighteenth-century English calf, without final blank leaf, title-leaf cut to border and remargined, lower corner of I5 missing with loss of text, P2 torn and repaired without loss of text, Z3 repaired obscuring catchword on verso, occasional light staining, a few marginal paper repairs, rebacked, binding rubbed

William Wyndham, early eighteenth-century inscription at head of dedication; Sir Charles Frederick (1709-1785), of Middlesex, antiquary and politician, engraved armorial bookplate (engraved by W.H. Toms in 1752) with pencil inscription at foot; his library sold at auction on 5 July, 1786 by J. Gerard, lot 497; bought from Payne in 1791 for £1 5s; John Paget (died 1825), Newberry, Somerset, inscription on verso of flyleaf and his notes on the reading at the end, dated 1806, "mostly dry and dull"; pencil note about collation on lower cover by Quaritch Ltd; IRA Bailey, pencil inscription on front flyleaf

STC 12144

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."

Third edition of Gower's Confessio amantis, the second of only two printed editions from the sixteenth century, despite the survival of more than fifty manuscripts from the previous century.