Lot 79
Wordsworth (William) The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth, a new edition, 6 vol., double presentation inscription to his doctor, 1836-7.
Hammer Price: £2,400
Description
Wordsworth (William) The Poetical Works, 6 vol., the first volume with two almost word for word duplicate presentation inscriptions by Wordsworth to Mr Fell, one to front endpaper and the other, clearly written first and in error, (with the book upside-down) to rear endpaper, new edition, portrait frontispiece, some light foxing to first and last couple of leaves, contemporary calf, gilt, rubbed, rebacked, preserving original spines, a little rubbed and discoloured, double morocco spine labels, some renewed, gilt edges, housed in modern cloth slip-case, 8vo, Edward Moxon, 1836-7.
⁂ A fine association copy with heartfelt double full-page inscription from the poet to his doctor. In the inscription, fully signed and dated "6th July 1839, Rydal Mount", Wordsworth tells Mr Fell that he is writing in the volume at the behest of his nephew John Wordsworth as a token of his gratitude for caring for him during a dangerous illness, to which Wordsworth adds his own thanks and expresses his respect for Mr Fell's professional skill. John's bout of illness was mentioned in a letter written months earlier by Wordsworth to his publisher Edward Moxon in which he expressed his "hopes that my nephew John Wordsworth... will correct the proofs" of a new edition of this very book, despite the fact that "he has been very unwell since, and may not be equal to the task." This same Mr Fell who treated John would also, 11 years later, attend to the pleurisy that ended Wordsworth's life.
Note: Edward Moxon (c.1801-1858), publisher, poet and son-in-law of poet Charles Lamb: "In 1834, Wordsworth, always a steady friend, allowed him to publish a selection of his poems; next year he transferred all his works to Moxon, and in 1836 a full edition in six volumes was published." (Oxford DNB).
Provenance: Sotheby's, 25th July 1978.
Description
Wordsworth (William) The Poetical Works, 6 vol., the first volume with two almost word for word duplicate presentation inscriptions by Wordsworth to Mr Fell, one to front endpaper and the other, clearly written first and in error, (with the book upside-down) to rear endpaper, new edition, portrait frontispiece, some light foxing to first and last couple of leaves, contemporary calf, gilt, rubbed, rebacked, preserving original spines, a little rubbed and discoloured, double morocco spine labels, some renewed, gilt edges, housed in modern cloth slip-case, 8vo, Edward Moxon, 1836-7.
⁂ A fine association copy with heartfelt double full-page inscription from the poet to his doctor. In the inscription, fully signed and dated "6th July 1839, Rydal Mount", Wordsworth tells Mr Fell that he is writing in the volume at the behest of his nephew John Wordsworth as a token of his gratitude for caring for him during a dangerous illness, to which Wordsworth adds his own thanks and expresses his respect for Mr Fell's professional skill. John's bout of illness was mentioned in a letter written months earlier by Wordsworth to his publisher Edward Moxon in which he expressed his "hopes that my nephew John Wordsworth... will correct the proofs" of a new edition of this very book, despite the fact that "he has been very unwell since, and may not be equal to the task." This same Mr Fell who treated John would also, 11 years later, attend to the pleurisy that ended Wordsworth's life.
Note: Edward Moxon (c.1801-1858), publisher, poet and son-in-law of poet Charles Lamb: "In 1834, Wordsworth, always a steady friend, allowed him to publish a selection of his poems; next year he transferred all his works to Moxon, and in 1836 a full edition in six volumes was published." (Oxford DNB).
Provenance: Sotheby's, 25th July 1978.