Hallam, Arthur Henry.

12mo (172 x 107mm.), first edition, first issue (Nowell-Smith's "A" issue), preliminary and final blanks, half-title, contemporary purple morocco with ornate borders in blind and gold on covers, spine gilt in compartments, gilt edges, collector's chemise and blue morocco-backed folding box, some light browning and spotting, extremities slightly rubbed

Henry Monteith of Carstairs, bookplate

Simon Nowell-Smith, "A.H. Hallam's Poems, 1830", The Book Collector, Winter 1959, pp. 430-31

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."

As noted by Simon Nowell-Smith this work was once described as "probably the rarest of all the 19th century volumes of poetry" (based on Wise knowing only two copies). Nowell-Smith notes that at least 15 copies had been recorded in 1941 but the book remains extremely rare.

The poet and essayist Arthur Henry Hallam (1811-1833), still best known today for his association with Tennyson and as the inspiration for In Memoriam, had originally intended to publish a joint collection with Tennyson when the two men were students at Cambridge. However Arthur's father, Henry Hallam, objected, and so the project was abandoned, with the result that this edition of Arthur's poems only was privately printed and distributed.