Whistler, James Abbott McNeill

The Gentle Art of Making Enemies. Edited by Sheridan Ford. New York: Frederick Stokes, 1890, pirated edition, original wrappers; The Gentle Art of Making Enemies...William Heinemann, 1899, first edition, original ochre boards gilt with butterfly decoration on upper cover, slightly browned, some wear to binding; Mr. Whistler's Ten O'clock. Chatto & Windus, 1888 [bound with:] Whistler v Ruskin...sixth edition. n.d.; Wilde versus Whistler. An Acrimonious Correspondence on Art. 1906, privately printed, one of 500 copies; these 3 in original wrappers bound together in later brown boards; Eden versus Whistler. The Baronet & the Butterfly...Paris: Louis-Henry May, [1899], first American edition, ONE OF 250 COPIES, original cloth-backed boards gilt, in case with In Memoriam pamphlet; Eden versus Whistler. The Baronet & the Butterfly... New York, 1899, first American edition, original boards gilt; all preserved in cases or slipcases or boxes (6)

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."

The first work here is the rare American pirated edition (many copies allegedly destroyed by fire), preceding the authorised English edition by a few months.