Wordsworth, William.

4to, first edition, engraved frontispiece by J.C. Bromley after Sir George Beaumont, presentation copy from sir george beaumont to joanna baillie, inscribed in pencil on front endpaper "To Miss Joanna Baillie | with Sir George and Lady Beaumont's | kind regards | June 1^{st 1815", later horizontally-grained green morocco gilt, all edges gilt, spine in six compartments, minor wear to edges of binding}

"A.G.T.", small book-label on upper paste-down

Healey 1815; Wise 12; Tinker 3339

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 fine presentation copy from Wordsworth's friend and patron Sir George Beaumont, painter of the frontispiece to this book, to the Scottish poet and dramatist Joana Baillie. Beaumont (1753-1827), who was also a landscape painter and helped found the National Gallery, was a generous friend to both Wordsworth and Coleridge, and Wordsworth acknowledged his debt to him in the dedication to the first collected edition of his Poems (also 1815).

The poet and dramatist Joanna Baillie (1762-1851), who was very well known and very well regarded during her lifetime for her literary prowess and kind disposition, lived latterly in her cottage at Hampstead, which became the centre of fashionable literary society. Dorothy Wordsworth eventually met her there in 1820, when she described her in a latter to Mary Hutchinson as "one of the nicest of women – very entertaining in conversation, without the least mixture of the Literary Lady".