Browning, Robert

Paracelsus. Effingham Wilson, 1835, 8vo, first edition, inscribed by the author to L. Lloyd, red morocco gilt by Riviere, some slight spotting, hinge cracked, joints slightly worn [Wise, p.5]; Prince Hohenstiel-Schwangau, Saviour of Society, Smith, Elder & Co., 1871, 8vo, first edition, inscribed by the author to Fanny Haworth, dark green morocco by the French Binder's, Garden City, NY, spine slightly faded, chipped at head and foot, some offsetting on endpapers, small mark on front fixed endpaper where booklabel removed [Wise, p.30]; The Ring and the Book. Smith, Elder & Co., 1872, 8vo, 4 volumes, second edition, inscribed by the author to Nina Lehman, with his visiting card pasted below the inscription, contemporary olive green morocco gilt, spines gilt, green silk endpapers, edges gilt, occasional slight spotting, hinges cracked, some wear to joints and extremities; Balaustion's Adventure. Smith, Elder & Co., 1872, 8vo, first edition, inscribed by the author to William Allingham, publisher's reddish-brown cloth, hinges cracked, spine chipped at head and foot [Wise, p.29]; Fifine at the Fair. Smith, Elder & Co., 1872, 8vo, first edition, inscribed by the author to William Allingham, publisher's darl brown bevelled cloth, hinges cracked, spine chipped at head and foot [Wise, p.31]; Jocoseria. Smith, Elder & Co., 1883, first edition, inscribed by the author to Miss Louisa Drewry, publisher's dark red cloth, hinges cracked, spine faded, some wear to extremities [Wise, p.43]; and two other related works; [with:] Robert Browning, three autograph letters signed, one to "Sir", denying that there is any historical foundation to "The Ride &c." [? 'The Last Ride Together'] ("...A good gallop in imagination - that is all the 'facts'...") and recalling how he wrote the poem on board ship, one to Mrs Pollock, agreeing to visit her along with his son unless the latter is "worn out by rowing, or otherwise incapacitated", and one to Mrs Anderson, apologising for missing her the previous evening, altogether 3 pages, 8vo, 19 Warwick Crescent, London, 16 January 1875 to 9 December 1882 (where dated), one letter window mounted, two letters with remains of mount on versos

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 fine collection of volumes inscribed by Browning. Among the friends to whom these presentation copies are inscribed are the Irish poet William Allingham, Nina Lehman (whose father Rudolf Lehman painted a celebrated portrait of Browning in 1859) and Euphrasia Fanny Haworth, the painter and illustrator who introduced Elizabeth Barrett Browning to the Swedenborgian doctrines so influential in her later years.