Wordsworth, William

4 volumes, 12mo (165 x 95mm.), half-titles in volumes 2 and 3, fly titles, engraved frontispieces by J.C. Bromley and S.W. Reynolds after Sir George Beaumont in each volume (one of which folding), 1pp. errata at end of volume one, contemporary green morocco ruled in gilt, wide decorative border in blind, gilt dentelles, spine decorated in gilt and blind, lettered in gilt with title, date and volume number, gilt edges, ribbon markers, some browning and light spotting, particularly to fore-edges, inscriptions slightly trimmed, spines faded, some very light rubbing and soiling to binding

John Kenyon (1784-1856), presentation inscription; William O'Brien, bequest booklabel dated 1899; library stamps

Wise III.1

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."

FIRST COLLECTED EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED BY WORDSWORTH TO JOHN KENYON ("To John Kenyon from his sincere friend Wm Wordsworth") on the verso of the title in each volume, each volume additionally inscribed ("from the Author. To J. Kenyon.") on the title page (volume 1, 3 and 4) or half-title (volume 2) in another hand, and volume one further inscribed ("from the Author") in another hand on a preliminary blank.

A distant cousin of Elizabeth Barrett Browning (and the facilitator of her introduction to Robert Browning in 1845), John Kenyon was a long-time friend of the Wordsworth family. A "lion of London society", Kenyon also published three volumes of poetry over his lifetime.