Tennyson, Alfred, Lord.

8vo, first edition, presentation copy, inscribed on the half-title by the author  ("Arthur Knight | from his cousins | Alfred & Emily | Tennyson"),  8pp. of publisher's advertisements at the beginning, original green cloth , upper and lower covers and spine decorated in blind, spine lettered in gilt, preserved in quarter green morocco folding box, upper hinge slightly fragile, minor spotting to endpapers and text, faint bubbling to covers

E.H. Mills; Doris Louise Benz (bookplates, sale at Christie's New York,  16 November 1984, lot 386); the literary critic Stanley Wertheim

Hayward 248; Wise 58

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."

an inscribed presentation copy of the first book publication of tennyson's famous poem "the charge of the light brigade", here published with the omission in the final line  of "Someone had blundered", thus substantively altering the tone of the verse by "removing the implication that the cavalry charge had been foolish and futile rather than heroic..." (the critic Stanley Wertheim, a former owner of this copy: see below).

Tennyson had married Emily Sellwood on 13 June 1850, after a long drawn-out engagement which lasted more than twelve years.

"More than any other writer, Tennyson has become the emblem of his age, a literary phenomenon for Victorianism" (Stanley Wertheim)

Theirs not to make reply
Theirs not to reason why
Theirs but to do and die
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred