- 147
MASEFIELD, SALT-WATER BALLADS, FIRST EDITION OF THE AUTHOR'S FIRST BOOK, 1902 (1 VOL.)
Estimate
100 - 150 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- John Masefield
- Salt-Water Ballads. London: Grant Richards, 1902
- paper
8vo (190 x 117mm.), FIRST EDITION OF THE AUTHOR'S FIRST BOOK, original dark blue buckram (first issue), top edge gilt, collector's chemise and morocco-backed slipcase, contemporary ownership inscription on front free endpaper, some fading to cloth as usual
Literature
Simmons [1]; Handley-Taylor, p. 27; Wight [1]; Errington, Masefield A1(a)
Condition
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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
THE POET'S FIRST BOOK INCLUDING 'SEA-FEVER' ('I must down to the seas again...'), one of the poems that John Betjeman claimed would be 'remembered as long as the language lasts'. There were three issues of the first edition: 300 copies in dark-blue cloth in 1902 and 150 copies in blue-black cloth in 1903. Both were printed by Grant Richards. Soon after the end of 1904 Richards' firm was declared bankrupt and around 50 copies of the title were issued - with a cancel title - by the De La More Press in 1906. The Elkin Mathews edition comprised the second English edition and was published in 1913 (with many reprints).
John Drinkwater in his memoirs tells of his first meeting with Masefield at Woburn Buildings. He notes 'Masefield left before I did, and I was excited to hear Yeats speak enthusiastically of Salt-Water Ballads'.
John Drinkwater in his memoirs tells of his first meeting with Masefield at Woburn Buildings. He notes 'Masefield left before I did, and I was excited to hear Yeats speak enthusiastically of Salt-Water Ballads'.