R[USKIN]. POEMS, 1850, PRESENTATION INSCRIPTION FROM THE AUTHOR'S FATHER TO EMMA EDWARDES (1 VOL.)

8vo (169 x 111mm.), FIRST EDITION, ONE OF 50 COPIES, PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED BY JOHN RUSKIN SENIOR ("To Emma Edwardes: | From the Author's Father | with his kindest Regards. | 3 February 1851") on front endpaper, original green cloth decorated in blind and gilt, lyre on upper cover, all edges gilt, pale yellow endpapers, very minor spotting, lower cover very slightly damp-stained

Emma Edwardes, neé Grant [stepdaughter to John James Ruskin's physician, friend and neighbour, Dr George Grant], presentation inscription from the author's father

Wise and Smart 9; James Dearden, "The Production and Distribution of John Ruskin's Poems 1850"

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when 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 presentation copy from the publisher, the author's father, of the "Rara Avis of Ruskin Literature" (Wise). Ruskin senior had the edition privately printed when his son was in his early thirties, and had abandoned writing poems for writing on art and architecture. The edition was distributed to friends of the family, and includes only five poems which Ruskin wrote after the age of twenty-one. Copies were bound in both purple and green cloth. For an example of the former, see the Herschel Jones--Louis H. Silver--Bradley Martin copy, sold at Sotheby's New York, 1 May 1990, lot 3154. According to James Dearden the green and gilt copies were designed for presentation to ladies, while those in purple and blind were for gentlemen. Both bindings were executed by Westley & Co. in London (with their ticket on the lower paste-down).