[WORDSWORTH, WILLIAM AND SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE] | Lyrical Ballads, With a Few Other Poems. London: J. and A. Arch, 1798

[WORDSWORTH, WILLIAM AND SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE]

Lyrical Ballads, With a Few Other Poems. London: J. and A. Arch, 1798

8vo (6 1/8 x 3 3/4 in.; 155 x 92 mm). Final errata leaf, publisher's advertisement; staining to title page not affecting text, possibly from an excised inscription. Contemporary calf ruled in gilt, spine in gilt compartment with lyre motif; rebacked with original spine laid down, corners bumped, collector's red morocco slip case. 

First edition, second (London) issue, the earliest obtainable issue of the work credited with beginning the romantic movement in England. Lyrical Ballads was first issued under the imprint of Bristol publishers Biggs and Cottle after Joseph Cottle had purchased the copyright from Wordsworth for 30 guineas. However, within two weeks of publication, the publishers sold the whole edition of 500 copies to J. and A. Arch of London, who replaced the title leaf with one bearing their own imprint. Copies of the first issue are notoriously rare and none are thought to remain in private hands. 

PROVENANCE

Sold by G. Cawthorn bookseller, London (bookplate front paste-down) — William H. Painter (booklabel front pastedown)