COLERIDGE, SAMUEL TAYLOR | Christabel: Kubla Khan, a Vision; The Pains of Sleep. London: William Bulmer for John Murray, 1816

COLERIDGE, SAMUEL TAYLOR

Christabel: Kubla Khan, a Vision; The Pains of Sleep. London: William Bulmer for John Murray, 1816

8vo (9 x 5 1/2 in.; 227 x 147 mm). Half-title, 4-page publisher's advertisements at end; one or two scattered spots. Original tan wrappers; some ink stains and wear, loss at spine tail. Custom slipcase. 

First edition in original wrappers of one of Coleridge's acclaimed works. Lord Byron, who on first hearing the poem in 1815 wrote to Coleridge in praise of "the wildest and finest [poem] I have ever heard in that kind of composition...all took a hold on my imagination which I shall never wish to shake off...", convinced Murray to publish 'Christabel' (see Griggs, Collected Letters of Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1959), vol. IV, p.600-601). The poem, with 'Kubla Khan' and 'The Pains of Sleep', was published in 1816 and reprinted twice within the same year.

REFERENCES

Hayward 207; Tinker 693; Wise 32

PROVENANCE

William H. Painter (booklabel front pastedown)