Keats, John.

8vo (222 x 140mm.), first edition, half-title with imprint on verso "Printed by T. Miller, Noble street, Cheapside", one line erratum on p.[xi], 5 line errata slip inserted between pp.[x] and [xi], 4pp. of advertisements dated May 1818 at the end, original drab boards, in red cloth chemise, rebacked preserving most of the original spine and original spine label, some minor spotting, first gathering of text slightly loose; together with: [Croker, J.W..] "Art.VII.--Endymion: A Poetic Romance. By John Keats", [the 5pp. contemporary review of the book extracted from] The Quarterly Review. Vol. XIX. April & December. John Murray, 1818, later full red morocco gilt by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, all edges gilt; the two items preserved in specially made and lined crushed red morocco folding box with arms of the Marquess of Queensberry, and Byron's lines about The Quarterly Review's savage review lettered in gilt on the spine

"John Clarke", early ownership inscription on front endpaper; The Marquess of Queensberry, arms on folding box; David and Lulu Borowitz, book-label in case, sale of their library at Sotheby's, 15 November 1977, lot 143

Hayward 232, Tinker 232; Ashley 3:13

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 thing of beauty is a joy for ever..."

A  fine copy of the first issue, with a distinguished provenance.  Endymion, dedicated to the memory of the poet Thomas Chatterton, was written when Keats was 21 years old. Croker's scathing review in the pages of the Quarterly Review in April 1818 -- which Shelley later blamed for the poet's early death in 1821 -- was one of a number of apparently politically motivated attacks by tory journals, principally directed at Leigh Hunt and his circle of "cockney" poets. However, they "succeeded in sustaining a vitriolic and cruelly personal savagery at Keats's expense which has become legendary in literary history. His supposed low social origins were derided. His medical training became a running joke. His poetic ambitions, and even his lack of height, were ridiculed..."  (Kelvin Everest, Oxford DNB)