[Swift, Jonathan]

4to, first edition, bound last in a volume of five poems [as described below], recent half
calf and marbled boards, spine gilt, red morocco label, slightly dusty and foxed at the beginning and end

Foxon S904; Teerinck 713; Rothschild 2128

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."

This rare poem was also printed at about the same time in Dublin, under a quite different title: The Grand Question Debated: Whether Hamilton's Bawn should be turn'd into a Barrack or a Malt-House. George Faulkner's edition purports to have been published "according to the London edition . . . printed by A. Moore," but this is an invention. The London and Dublin editions were if fact taken from two different manuscript sources, and display a good number of variant readings. This humorous poem had its origin in a visit by Swift in 1729 to the country estate of his friend Sir Arthur Acheson, where there was a debate going on about whether to convert a "bawn," an enclosure with stone or mud walls, into a barracks for lease to the government, or into a malt-house. "The charm of the poem is felt in every part of its construction ... Much of the pleasure of the verses derives from the skill of Swift's mimicry ... His old trick of making spontaneous colloquial speech fall effortlessly into metrical units gives line after line its relish ... In the way of genial satire, he rarely wrote a better poem." (Ehrenpreis, Swift, III, pp. 624-5.) The poem circulated for a time in manuscript, and a copy fell into the hands of Faulkner, who arranged for it to be printed in London without Swift's authorization. The Dublin printing followed shortly afterwards. The Bowyer ledgers show that 500 copies of the London edition were printed, but 200 of these were used for a re-issue, with "second edition" on the title-page.

Also bound in at the front of this volume are the following: Ogilvie, John. Providence. An allegorical poem. 1764, first edition--Goldsmith, Oliver. The traveller; or, a prospect of society. 1768, fifth edition--Goldsmith, Oliver. The deserted village, a poem. 1770, third edition--[Garrick, David.] An ode upon dedicating a building, and erecting a statue, to Shakespeare, at Stratford upon Avon.1769, first edition.