Yeats, W.B.

8vo, second edition, signed by yeats on the title page, original dark blue ribbed cloth with design in gilt on upper cover, spine lettered in gilt, top edge gilt, browning to half-title and endpapers, minor dust-staining, extremities bumped

cf. Wade 30

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."

Both this second edition and the first edition published in December 1900 appear to have been printed in small numbers.

The Shadowy Waters, a verse play that Yeats conceived and began writing in 1884, is called by Foster his "eternal work-in-progress". The play proved almost impossible to stage. There was a private performance for Yeats and Steven Gwynn at the INTS in London in April of 1904, a production at the Theosophical Society staged by Florence Flarr in 1905 (loathed by Yeats), and further rewrites over subsequent years. The play first appeared in The North American Review on 1 May 1900.