Keats, John

Poetical Works. With a Memoir by Richard Monkton Milnes. London: Edward Moxon, 1854



8vo (7 3/4 x 5 1/8 in.; 195 x 130 mm). Engraved frontispiece portrait of Keats by H. Robinson after Joseph Severn, text printed within ruled borders, numerous engraved text illustrations.

J. Donovan Pheifer (armorial bookplate dated 1933) — (unnamed consignor), Sotheby's New York, November 24, 1981, lot 425

The front cover and spine uniformly faded to a pleasing Cordoba brown, front green moiré lining frayed at edges with a one-inch loss near inner margin.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A sumptuous Cosway binding by Rivière and Son, with a miniature portrait of John Keats by Miss C. B. Currie, after a portrait by the artist and the poet's close friend, Joseph Severn. Crushed dark green morocco, the miniature set within a recessed cartouche with a diapered gilt field of small tulip and pomegranate tools, the inner border of the cartouche lined with tiny gilt marguerites, the outer border elaborately tooled with floral cornerpieces and floriated volutes, the floral cornerpieces repeated on the rear cover within a double-filleted border and joined to one another by a line of small gilt dots, the spine in six compartments tooled with an elaborate floral spray (one reserved for the title), the raised bands tooled with small gold dots, gilt dentelles with floral cornerpieces, green silk moiré doublures and linings, edges gilt.  

Severn's portrait was among the earliest he executed of Keats (1819) and was exhibited that year at the Royal Academy. It was Severn who accompanied Keats to Rome where he nursed the poet through his final illness He and Keats are buried side by side in Rome's Protestant Cemetery.