Wordsworth, William, and Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

8vo, 2 volumes, first editions of both volumes, second issue of volume 1 (with the cancellans title-leaf, London imprint), with the errata leaf (O2) and the leaf of Cottle's advertisements in volume 1, nineteenth-century quarter red morocco, mottled boards, marbled endpapers, preserved in maroon cloth folding cases and quarter maroon morocco slipcase, some slight browning and spotting, binding slightly darkened, corners slightly bumped

Hayward 202 (Bristol imprint); Ashley 8:5-6; Cornell/Healey 4-5; Grolier English 66

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."

the first appearance of coleridge's "the rime of the ancient mariner",

The first volume of the Lyrical Ballads, the collection of poems which can be said to have ushered  in  the English literary Romantic movement,  appeared in 1798. The so-called first issue is with the Bristol imprint of Biggs and Cottle, but is now virtually unobtainable, known in only around six copies  (see previous lot). The famous "Preface" by Wordsworth was not added until the second edition of volume 1, 1800.