[Wordsworth, William and Samuel Taylor Coleridge]

small 8vo, FIRST EDITION, second (London) issue, with final errata leaf, 19th century full biscuit calf ruled in gilt, spine gilt in compartments, gilt dentelles, all edges gilt, collector's green chemise and morocco-backed slipcase, some offsetting to preliminaries, very occasional spotting, expertly rebacked, calf slightly darkened and cracked along upper edge and near head of spine

Cornell 4; ESTC T142994; Grolier Hundred 66; Wise 4

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."

EARLIEST OBTAINABLE ISSUE OF THE FORMATIVE WORK OF THE ROMANTIC MOVEMENT. 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.

This issue also includes a number of other cancelled leaves. At some point after the printing of the original sheets, it was decided to replace Coleridge's poem 'Lewti' with 'The Nightingale'; the three leaves on which the original poem was printed were removed (D₈ and E_1-2) and replaced with the four 'Nightingale' leaves, resulting in the addition of one surplus leaf to this gathering. The Content page was also replaced.