Ibsen, Henrik

8vo (172 x 113mm.), FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY, inscribed by Edmund Gosse ("Edmund Gosse | from the Author") on the preliminary blank, original cream cloth decorated in black and gilt, all edges gilt, patterned endpapers, dust-jacket, collector's black chemise and morocco back slipcase, recased, bookseller's label on rear endpaper, dust-jacket browned with some loss, repairs to spine and flaps

Edmund Gosse, ownership signature and inscription (stating this copy was given to him by the author); sale, Bonhams New York, 23 July 2012, lot 3337

PMM 375

Condition is as 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."

THE TRANSLATOR'S COPY, BEARING HIS OWNERSHIP SIGNATURE AND RECORDING THE PRESENTATION "FROM THE AUTHOR".

This first edition was preceded only briefly by a copyright edition of twelve copies which were published in London under Heinemann's imprint on 11 December 1890, just five days before the Copenhagen edition. This was suggested and supervised by Gosse "under a well-intentioned illusion that this was necessary for copyright reasons" (PMM). This London edition is now extremely scarce, recorded in three institutions and one copy sold in these rooms (10 July 2012, lot 73).

An English translation of Hedda Gabler was made by Gosse himself and published by Heinemann only a few weeks after the Copenhagen edition. Gosse had first encountered Ibsen's work when in Norway in 1871, and was responsible for bringing his writing to an Anglophone audience.