The Annual Anthology.

Bristol: Printed by Biggs and Co. for T.N. Longman and O. Rees, 1799-1800.

Price: $3,500.00


About the item

First editions. [viii], 300 (B8, pp. 31-2, canceled as usual); [vi], 299, [1] pp., on wove paper, watermarked "LLOYD 1795". 2 vols. 8vo. Publisher's paper-backed gray (vol. I) and rose (vol. II) boards, skillfully rebacked to style. Fine, in custom blue morocco gilt pull-off cases. Ashley I, pp. 199-200; Wise, Coleridge 15; Tinker 1953. Provenance: William Henry Covington (bookplate); Frank Brewer Bemis (bookplate); Harold Greenhill (bookplate); David & Lulu Borowitz (bookplate, their sale Sotheby's New York, 15 November 1977, lot 232); John Davidson (bookplate).

Item #307973

First edition of the two volumes, all published, of Southey's anthology of new poetry. Besides Southey himself, the most important contributor is Coleridge, with no fewer than 27 poems, including the first printing of "This Lime-Tree Bower My Prison." There are also poems by Charles Lamb, Charles Lloyd, Joseph Cottle, Robert Lovell, George Dyer, Francis Wrangham, Humphry Davy, Mary Robinson, and Amelia Opie. A third volume was planned but never appeared. The canceled leaf, excised in all but Southey's own copy, contained his "War Poem" and was deleted because of its insufficient patriotism. A fine copy in the original boards with distinguished provenance.