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[William Wordsworth]. Grace Darling [drop title]. Carlisle: Printed at the Office of Charles Thurnam, [1843].... (Total: 2 )
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Description
[William Wordsworth]. Grace Darling [drop title]. Carlisle: Printed at the Office of Charles Thurnam, [1843].4 pages on a single bifolium, 8vo (164 x 102 mm). Housed in a cloth folding case.
FIRST EDTION of this very rare leaflet for private distribution. Marked "[Not published.]" at end of text on page 4. Probably printed in early March 1843, and most located copies are signed by Wordsworth [not in the present copy]. Wordsworth "wished his poem to be reprinted only in editions of his own work, but it was reprinted without his permission many times both separately and in journals" (Reed).
Condition: Some slight marginal wrinkling in upper corner of first leaf; a few pale spots; otherwise, fine.
References: Healey 121; Reed A70.
Provenance: Oliver Brett (bookplate); purchased from Charles Rare Books, London, 5 February 1963.
[With:]
William Wordsworth. Fair copy manuscript of his poem entitled "Suggested on Loughrigg Fell," written in the hand of his friend and amanuensis, Isabella Fenwick, signed by Wordsworth at end ("Wm Wordsworth"). "All Saint's Day," 1844.
2 pages, 88 x 171 mm, written in brown ink on both sides of a leaf of heavy stock paper. Housed in a cloth slipcase.
The poem varies from that printed in The Collected Poems. Written in five three-line stanzas, and titled at head, the poem begins:
"So fair, so sweet, withal so sensitive /
Would that the little Flowers were born to live /
Conscious of half the pleasure which they give."
Isabella Fenwick was a friend and neighbor of the Wordsworths; she was the daughter of Nicholas Fenwick of Lemmington Hall near Alnwick, and a relation of the poet Henry Taylor. Later, when work proceeded with the publication of Poems, chiefly of Early and Late Years, Isabella Fenwick undertook to copy large portions of the text for the printer. A few months later, probably late in 1842, Wordsworth accepted her offer to take dictation of his notes to the poems, and they commenced work in January 1843. They completed their work six months later at Rydal Mount June 24th 1843. Among those outside the family, and many within it, there was no one better qualified for such a task, no one so in tune with its aim and spirit." (Jared Curtis, The Fenwick Notes of William Wordsworth.)
Condition: Slight toning at margins on verso from previous matting.
Provenance: Purchased from C. K. Broadhurst & Co., Ltd., 1970. From the William A. Strutz Library.
View all of [The William A. Strutz Library ]
Auction Info
2025 September 10 - 11 Important English and American Literature: The William A. Strutz Library, Part III, Rare Books Signature® Auction #6321 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
September, 2025
10th-11th
Wednesday-Thursday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 4
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
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