Southey, Robert.

8vo, first edition of the author's second book, the author's own copy, specially printed for him on various coloured papers,  issue with second line of the imprint in roman and the comma after "Biggs" above the "st" of "Bristol", with errata, the final advertisement leaf and final blank, contemporary quarter calf over marbled boards, uncut, preserved in matching "Cottonian" box by James Brockman, some occasional discoloration, upper joint cracked, some wear to binding

The author, with his bookplate; unidentified later owner, pencil note on upper paste-down ("Dr. Southey The Late Poet Laureate's Copy, only one of which was taken off on various coloured papers for the author's own library"), bookplate; "W.R.C. Stans[----] Estroll Hall"

Hayward 209 ("Southey's first collection of shorter poems, suppressed after publication")      

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 unique copy. The pages of this book were dyed (after printing) for Southey by the publisher Cottle and probably also by his wife Edith, whom he had just married before going to Portugal for three months. Most of the pages have been dyed green, but the half-titles, end pages, and title page are pink, and other pages are yellow. This early collection includes socially-engaged writings such as "Poems on the Slave Trade." Always a bibliophile, Southey's daughters bound two hundred or so of his books in cotton fabric over boards (his "Cottonian Library": see also lot 131) but most of his own copies of the earlier editions of his own books seem to have escaped. The 1797 Poems is an uncommon book: ESTC records copies in only 7 institutions in the UK.