[Wordsworth, William].

8vo, first edition, privately printed, signed by the author at foot of final page ("Wm Wordsworth"), two leaves, original pagination altered in ink, traces of former mounting on fold not affecting text

Wise 27

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."

one of the legendary wordsworth rarities. Wise notes "The original privately-printed edition of Grace Darling ranks among the leading Wordsworth rarities. It is doubtful whether so many as half a dozen examples could be identified today... There can be no doubt that each example of Grace Darling distributed by Wordsworth was given by him personally as a friendly gift. Every surviving copy I have inspected is signed in full in the poet's autograph at the foot of the last page."

In a letter to Henry Reed, dated 27 March 1843, Wordsworth stated "I send you... the last poem from my pen. I threw it off two or three weeks ago, being in a great measure impelled to it by the desire I felt to do justice to the memory of a heroine, whose conduct presented some time ago a striking contrast to the inhumanity with which our countrymen shipwrecked lately upon the French coast have been treated... I must request that 'Grace Darling' may not be reprinted..."

In 1838 the 22 year old Grace Darling, together with her father, rescued survivors from the wrecked ship SS Forfarshire, which had foundered on Big Harcar, one of the Farne Islands off the Northumbrian coast. The act created a Victorian heroine although Grace Darling did not live long to experience her new celebrity. She died of tuberculosis in 1842.