GODWIN, W., HISTORY OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF ENGLAND, CORRECTED PROOF, 1824, 2 VOLS

AUTHORIAL CORRECTED PAGE PROOFS, 2 volumes (of 4), the first volume only with a few scattered autograph proof corrections and revisions to at least three pages, the second volume with extensive autograph proof corrections throughout and substantive revisions to about 90 pages, a few annotations and corrections in other hands, the proofs originally sent to Godwin as loose gatherings, the second volume with notes on the opening page of most gathering, chiefly "Duplicate" or occasionally "Proof", but some gatherings dated from 3 January 1826 (p.65, for gathering F) to 20 February 1826 (p.385, gathering 2C), and some with instructions to author or printer, "Please to send more copy" (p.80), "Correct immediately" (p.209), "send a revise" (pp. 209, 385), bound in later nineteenth century half calf with Lord Houghton's wheatsheaf device stamped on upper covers [with, tipped into volume one:] William Godwin, autograph letter signed, to Thomas Hill, complaining of the tardiness of Mr Haselwood in responding to an application, 1 page, 8vo, 195 Strand, London, 17 August [1822-25], integral address leaf; [also with, loosely inserted into volume two:] John Nichol, literary scholar, autograph letter signed, to "My Lord" [Houghton], referring to the death of Sydney Dobell, 3 pages, 8vo, "The College", 4 October 1874 

Richard Monkton-Milnes, Lord Houghton (1809-1885); 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."

CORRECTED PROOFS FOR THE FIRST HALF OF GODWIN'S HISTORY OF THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD, TAKING THE NARRATIVE AS FAR AS THE EXECUTION OF THE KING. As Godwin explained in his preface, his aim was to engage in a "fair and severe examination of evidence", whilst never losing sight of his profound belief "that the opponents of Charles the First fought for liberty, and that they had no alternative". The second volume has been carefully proof-read by Godwin, who also took the opportunity to make numerous final revisions to his text, tightening and clarifying his narrative. The relative lack of corrections to the first volume suggests that it probably  constitutes revises rather than first proofs. Certainly entries in Godwin's diary suggest he took as much care over the text of volume 1 in the weeks leading up to publication on 26 February 1824 as he did over volume 2 two years later (see godwindiary.bodleian.ox.ac.uk). The manuscript of the History is held by the V&A (Forster MS 225), and these hitherto unknown proofs provide important new evidence for the development of Godwin's text.