Browning, Robert

8vo, FIRST EDITION, THE AUTHOR'S COPY INSCRIBED ON THE HALF TITLE ("RB. 1839"), and with manuscript corrections in ink, probably autograph, to three pages, together with pencil notes and corrections in another hand to another 14 pages, half calf on marbled boards, lacking title page, spotting, loss at spine, rubbed

The Poetical Works of Robert Browning: Vol. 1, ed. Jack and Smith (Oxford, 1983)

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, 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."

BROWNING'S COPY OF ONE OF HIS EARLY MASTERPIECES. Paracelsus was first published in 1835 but a substantially revised text appeared in the 1849 edition of Browning's Poems. It was further revised for his 1863 Works, and minor corrections followed in 1865, 1868, 1888, and 1889. The textual changes here appear to show Browning correcting errors he noticed on reading the text (e.g. "Aim approved" is changed to "Aim improved", as it is found in the original manuscript) and include some revisions (e.g. "not seldom judged" becomes "but seldom judged", as it is in later editions) but does not represent a systematic revision undertaken for a new edition.