Gray, John

Silverpoints. Elkin Mathews and John Lane, 1893, first edition, author's first book, ONE OF 250 COPIES ON VAN GELDER PAPER, original green cloth gilt with designs by Charles Ricketts, collector's box, some slight offsetting to endpapers; Spiritual Poems. Ballantyne Press, 1896, first edition, designs by Charles Ricketts, ONE OF 210 copies, original boards, paper labels, short autograph letter by the author loosely inserted, in collector's box; Park. A Fantastic story. Rene Hague and Eric Gill for the author, 1932, dust-jacket, collector's box; 8vo (3)

[Silverpoints:] G. Krishnamurti, The Eighteen-Nineties, no. 271

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."

Silverpoints is one of the defining publications of the 1890s, combining the author and aesthete John Gray's poems with Charles Rickett's elegant designs, subsequently much-copied. Oscar Wilde is thought to have financed the book, and modelled the character of "Dorian Gray" on the dandy poet (later a respected Catholic priest based in Edinburgh).