W.H. IRELAND, NEGLECTED GENIUS, 1812, EXTRA-ILLUSTRATED COPY WITH AUTHORIAL ANNOTATIONS

FIRST EDITION, EXTENSIVELY EXTRA-ILLUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR, the title page annotated by the author ("My own private Illustrated Copy | Witness | WH Ireland"), with three proof impressions of a rejected engraved frontispiece by Henry Cave of York; a group of 11 letters chiefly relating to subscriptions to the book, including by William, 5th Duke of Devonshire (1 page, 9 April 1783), his wife Elizabeth (thanking him for his Monody on the death of her husband, 2 pages, 16 December 1811), and other subscribers; c.78 prints, including portraits of writers subjected to Ireland's pastiche and related subjects; a handbill advertising the publication of the book; a small fragment of manuscript with an accompanying note in Ireland's hand stating that he found it in the chamber in St Mary Redcliffe where Thomas Chatterton claimed to have discovered the Rowley manuscripts ("...which is sufficient proof that MSS were contained in the trunks..."), and a letter by John Birtill of Redcliffe Street, Bristol, on Rowley manuscripts (1 page, 26 January 1809); 8vo, extended to folio, contemporary half calf on marbled boards, weak at joints, rubbed

Dawson Turner (1775-1858), ownership inscription dated 1840; Robert Crewe-Milnes, Marquess of Crewe (1858-1945), armorial bookplate

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."

A REMARKABLE BOOK BRINGING TOGETHER TWO OF THE MOST AUDACIOUS FORGERS OF ENGLISH LITERARY HISTORY. William Henry Ireland eked out a living on the margins of the literary world for many years after the exposure of his Shakespeare forgeries in 1796. His imitations of poets including Spenser, Milton, and Dryden in Neglected Genius earned him a derisive review from Byron, who commented that "if his 'imitations of their different styles' resemble the originals, the consequent starvation of 'many British poets' is a doom which is calculated to excite pity rather than surprize" (Monthly Review, February 1813). The "neglected genius" whom Ireland defends most vociferously was Thomas Chatterton. His defence of Chatterton was deep standing - Chatterton's Rowley forgeries had helped to inspire Ireland's own Shakespearean fakes - and he here even includes a fragment of manuscript which he claims proves the existence of genuine antique Rowley manuscripts. Although this includes various unique personal pieces, Ireland's claim that this was his own personal copy of Neglected Genius should be treated with some scepticism as he frequently concocted unique items for sale.