Wordsworth, William

8vo, PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED BY WORDSWORTH TO HIS SISTER-IN-LAW ON THE HALF-TITLE ("Joanna Hutchinson from her affectionate Brother William Wordsworth. Elton, September 12, 1843"), volume 1 with an excerpt from a signed note by Mary Wordsworth to the recipient of the books tipped in to the front endpaper ("These volumes must be accepted by Mr. Dickson as an offering of long-continued friendship, from my departed sister Joanna—whose increasing weakness had prevented her fulfilling her intention of inscribing them with his name, by her own hand. M. Wordsworth"), original dark green cloth, spines and hinges expertly repaired

Sotheby's, 17 July 1997, lot 164

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 presentation set of Wordsworth's poetical works, inscribed to his youngest sister-in-law Joanna (1780-1843). Joanna Hutchinson was the “wild-hearted maid” of Wordsworth’s 1800 poem “To Joanna”, and one of a large group of siblings and in-laws who surrounded Wordsworth from the moment he and Dorothy moved to Dove Cottage in Grasmere in 1799. She died a few months after the author presented her with this edition in 1843. In the same year Wordsworth became Poet Laureate.

Moxon issued the first six-volume collection in 1836, and changes were made over the next four or five years. The collected poems of 1840 were subtitled “In Six Volumes”, as is this 1841 printing. A seventh volume was added in 1842 [Poems, Chiefly of the Early and Late Years] and seven volume sets such as this were issued with stereotyped plates from the 1841 six volume printing. A few very slight changes were made in the plates for later printings between 1842 and 1846.