Rossetti, Dante Gabriel

8vo, WISE FORGERY, half-title, full salmon morocco by Tout, preserving original grey wrappers, spine gilt in compartments, gilt dentelles, top edge gilt, boards with some minor soiling

Harry Buxton Forman (1842-1917), bookplate; his sale, Anderson Galleries, New York, 17 March 1920, lot 879; John Whipple Frothingham, bookplate

Carter and Pollard pp.215-217; Rossetti (1905) see 7; Todd 192f

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."

The two copies offered in the sale of Forman's own library in 1920 (the second of which apparently included a manuscript verse by Rossetti) were the only two copies known with wrappers at the time of Carter and Pollard's Enquiry in 1936. Another copy with Carter's own book label and salmon wrappers was sold in these rooms in 1967.

Wise was able to convince Rossetti's brother that this pamphlet was a genuine publication, since as well as being mentioned in his bibliography, a copy in the Ashley Library bore William's signature on the title.