[Byron, George Gordon Noel, Lord]

8vo (226 x 140mm.), FIRST EDITION, half-title, 4pp. publisher's adverts dated February 1816 at end, ORIGINAL WRAPPERS, collector's blue cloth folding box, lower wrapper and final leaves slightly soiled

Sale, Sotheby's London, 13 January 1987, lot 476

Griffith and Jones p.40; Wise I p.106

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."

Murray initially offered Byron 1,000 guineas for these two poems, but the poet - convinced that a gentleman should not accept money for his poetry - initially refused Murray's offer and his request to issue them in a separate volume. However, within a few days Byron decided instead to accept Murray's offer and give the money to William Godwin. Apparently Murray did not approve of this plan, and Byron threatened to take back the manuscripts altogether, writing to his publisher "it could be in no respect different to you - whether I paid it to a w[hore] or a hospital-or assisted a man of talent in distress" (Marchand, Byron's Letters and Journals (1976), vol. 5, p.17). Luckily, the pair eventually settled their disagreement and the volume was published on 7 February.