Lot 94
Woman poet.- Betham (Matilda) Elegies, and Other Smaller Poems, rare first edition of the author's first book, Ipswich, W. Burrell, [1797].
Hammer Price: £1,200
Description
Woman poet.- Betham (Matilda) Elegies, and Other Smaller Poems, first edition, the author's first book, errata f., lacking half-title, mostly lightly foxed throughout, some staining, contemporary half calf, spine richly gilt and with red leather label, little worming to foot of upper joint, corners worn, rubbed, 8vo, Ipswich, W. Burrell, [1797].
⁂ Rare first edition of the author's first book. Mary Matilda Betham (1776-1852) was an English poet, diarist, and portrait miniature painter. She studied with the poet William Wordsworth and the artist John Opie, and exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1804 to 1816. Samuel Taylor Coleridge praised her present collection, and in 1802 wrote To Matilda from a stranger, in which he compares her to Sappho, and encourages her to continue writing poetry. She championed women's rights, calling for the greater participation of women in parliamentary affairs, and writing in defence of Queen Carolina during her acrimonious marriage to King George IV.
Provenance: 'W.H. to M.A. Smart' (contemporary ink inscription at foot of title).
Description
Woman poet.- Betham (Matilda) Elegies, and Other Smaller Poems, first edition, the author's first book, errata f., lacking half-title, mostly lightly foxed throughout, some staining, contemporary half calf, spine richly gilt and with red leather label, little worming to foot of upper joint, corners worn, rubbed, 8vo, Ipswich, W. Burrell, [1797].
⁂ Rare first edition of the author's first book. Mary Matilda Betham (1776-1852) was an English poet, diarist, and portrait miniature painter. She studied with the poet William Wordsworth and the artist John Opie, and exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1804 to 1816. Samuel Taylor Coleridge praised her present collection, and in 1802 wrote To Matilda from a stranger, in which he compares her to Sappho, and encourages her to continue writing poetry. She championed women's rights, calling for the greater participation of women in parliamentary affairs, and writing in defence of Queen Carolina during her acrimonious marriage to King George IV.
Provenance: 'W.H. to M.A. Smart' (contemporary ink inscription at foot of title).