Keats, John

8vo, FIRST EDITION, title-page with woodcut vignette portrait of Spenser, on wove paper watermarked "John Dickinson 1813", ORIGINAL PAPER BOARDS WITH PRINTED SPINE LABEL, boards darkened and worn, upper joint sensitively repaired

Ashley Library III, p.9; Hayward 231; MacGillivray A1

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where 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."

THE FIRST EDITION OF KEATS' FIRST VOLUME OF POETRY, IN THE ORIGINAL BINDING.

The poet's first book, published with the support of Shelley and Leigh Hunt and dedicated to the latter, includes some of Keats' most significant early poetry, including "I stood tiptoe on a little hill ...," "To Hope," "Sleep and Poetry” and the sonnet "On first looking into Chapman's Homer", often regarded as one of his finest poems.

Scathing reviews depressed sales of the work, and despite the Olliers' initial enthusiasm, they soon regretted the poet had ever invited their interest. James Ollier remarked to Keats' brother George: "We regret that your brother ever requested us to publish his book, or that our opinion of its talent should have led us to acquiesce in undertaking it ... By far the greater number of Persons who have purchased it from us have found fault with it in such plain terms, that we have in many cases offer'd to take the book back rather than be annoyed with the ridicule which has, time after time, been shower'd on it."