Yeats, W.B.

8vo, first edition, presentation copy inscribed by the author to mrs bessie sudlow gunn, ("Mrs Gunn from W.B. Yeats | November 1907. | thanking her for the promised | loan of Mrs Campbell"), original grey paper boards with green cloth spine, white label printed in black within green rule border on spine, white endpapers, housed in collector's green cloth folder, repaired tear to dedication page, light browning to endpapers, slight discoloration to spine, extremities bumped

Wade 69

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."

This edition was published in August 1907. Mrs Patrick Campbell played in Deirdre at the Abbey Theatre on 9 November 1908. In a letter of 15 November Yeats called her performance "magnificent", and he sold her the American and English rights to Deirdre for five years.

Bessie Sudlow Gunn was the widow of Michael Gunn, owner and lessee of the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin from 1871 until his death in 1901. Mrs Campbell, who was appearing in the Gaiety in late October 1907, signed up to return in November 1908, but obtained Mrs Gunn's permission to appear at the Abbey in Deirdre, starting on 9 November 1908.

Beatrice Stella Campbell (1865-1940), known professionally as Mrs Patrick Campbell, was the most sought-after actress in London in the 1890s. Yeats was often in contact with Mrs Campbell over a twenty-year period, to the extent that Annie Horniman's jealousy was roused. Yeats once told his father, "I wish I liked Mrs. Campbell as much as I admire her."