WORDSWORTH. THE WHITE DOE OF RYLSTONE, 1815, FIRST EDITION (1 VOL.)

4to, FIRST EDITION, half-title, engraved frontispiece by J.C. Bromley after Sir George Beaumont, full calf by Ramage, spine gilt in compartments, gilt dentelles, top edge gilt, binding a little rubbed

Joseph Henry Shorthouse (1834-1903), novelist, book label; Herschel V. Jones (1861-1928), book label; John Whipple Frothingham, bookplate

Ashley Library VIII p.19-20

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."

Written after Wordsworth's first visit to Bolton Abbey in the summer of 1807, and intended for publication early in 1808 although it did not in fact appear until 1815. Wordsworth had always planned for the poem to be printed in quarto, although his sister Dorothy later wrote to her friend Catherine Clarkson, "it is a pity it was published in so expensive a form because some are thereby deprived of the pleasure of reading it; but however cheap his poems might be, I am sure it will be very long before they have an extensive sale - nay it will not be while he is alive to know it." (15 August 1815).