[Wordsworth, William]

8vo (164 x 103mm.), FIRST EDITION, PRIVATELY PRINTED, SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR AT THE FOOT OF FINAL PAGE ("Wm. Wordsworth"), two leaves, collector's chemise and morocco slipcase, slight browning, 100mm. split up centre fold, two horizontal folds, slipcase worn

Wise 27

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where 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 LEGENDARY WORDSWORTH RARITY. Wise states "The original privately printed edition of Grace Darling ranks among the leading Wordsworth rarities. It is doubtful whether so many as half a dozen examples could be identified today... There can be no doubt that each example of Grace Darling distributed by Wordsworth was given by him personally as a friendly gift. Every surviving copy I have inspected is signed in full in the poet's autograph at the foot of the last page".

In 1838 Grace Darling, then aged twenty-two, joined her father in rescuing survivors from the wrecked ship SS Forfarshire, which had foundered on Big Harcar, one of the Farne Islands off the Northumbrian coast. The act created a Victorian heroine and, a year after Grace Darling's death from tuberculosis, Wordsworth wrote his tribute in verse.

Swinburne would also commemorate Grace Darling in verse and a folksong ("Twas on the Longstone Lighthouse, there dwelt an English maid..") was also once popular in Northumberland.