[Polidori, John.]

8vo (225 x 138mm.), first edition, second issue with title page and half-title reset removing Byron's name, earlier state of p.36 with dropped "a" in "almost", engraved facsimile of Byron's letter to Galignani disavowing authorship of the work tipped in at the beginning, 12pp. advertisements at the end, original drab wrappers, preserved in black cloth folding box, some browning and foxing, small tear to front endpaper, spine broken, partially disbound

Anne Renier and F.G. Renier, book-label

Wise p.96; Wolff 5577; Summers p.21

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 EDITION OF THE FIRST VAMPIRE STORY IN ENGLISH, written by the physician John Polidori (1795--1821) who became Byron's secretary in 1816. The very rare first issue carried the Colburn imprint and attributed the work to Byron, who was swift to contest the attribution in his celebrated letter to Galignani of The Messenger, who then created an engraved facsimile used in many copies of the pirated Works published in Paris (a copy of the facsimile is tipped in here). Also included in this lot is a disbound copy of The New Monthly Magazine for 1st April 1819 (no.63, vol.XI) containing the first appearance of "The Vampyre", printed by the editor Colburn under Byron's name.