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Poems. (Privately Printed.): A Proof, Lasner Copy

Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Production Description

Document Title: [Untitled]
Author: Dante Gabriel Rossetti
Printer: Strangeways and Walden
City of publication: London
Date of publication: 1869 September 13
Edition: proof
Pre-Publication Information: This is a complete set of the A Proofs
Pagination: DGR prints on both the recto and verso sides of the pages from pages 1-75. From page 76 through 147, DGR, for the most part, prints on only the recto side, and leaves the verso blank (with the exception of pages 87 [86v], 99 [98v], 101 [100v], 120 [119v], 122 [121v], 129 [128v], and 137 [136v]). DGR returns to printing on both sides of the page from 148-166.
Authorization: DGR
Collation: [A] 2; B-O 8; P 7
Note on Publication: The ideal copy of this proof state would be paginated [i-iv], [1]-166. The collation given here is also ideal. The pagination is at the center top.
Corrector: DGR

Provenance

Current Location: Private collection of Mark Samuels Lasner
Note: This perfect copy of the A proofs, formerly belonging to WMR, was sold at Christie's on 29 July 1971. It was a part of the library of Simon Knowell Smith, and then passed into the collection of Mr. Lasner.

Physical Description

Point: 8
Lines per Page: 29
Dimensions of Document: crown octavo, 18.5 x 12cm

Bibliography

  • Wise, The Ashley Library, IV.124-125.
  • Troxell,“The ‘Trial Books’”, 192.
  • Fraser, “The Rossetti Collection of Janet Camp Troxell”, 160-161.
  • Lewis, The Trial Book Fallacy, 186.
  • Burnett, The Ashley Catalogue, I. 75-76.
Facsimile images available for Poems. (Privately Printed.): A Proof, Lasner Copy

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Scholarly Commentary

Introduction

This is a complete copy of the A Proofs, which Lewis (page 186) calls proof state 3. There are also two incomplete copies of the A Proofs in Princeton's Troxell collection.

Along with the A2 Proofs, the A Proofs comprise a volatile moment in the prepublication sequence of printings. They followed quickly one upon the other, and together represent DGR's initial revisions to the Penkill Proofs, which were printed about 18 August. DGR received the A Proofs on 13 September 1869 and immediately was working on them (see Fredeman, Correspondence, 69.154-62). He completed his revisions while he was at Penkill, and returned to London on 20 September. The A2 Proofs, with the additions and corrections, were pulled about 21 September.

Production History

Lines 50-57 of Nocturn were deleted by hand in the Troxell MS, and have been omitted from every subsequent version of the poem.

Electronic Archive Edition: 1
Source File: 1-1870.a.lsnr.rad.xml
Copyright: Used with permission of Princeton University. From the Princeton University Library, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections. All rights reserved. Redistribution or republication in any medium requires express written consent from Princeton University Library. Permissions inquiries should be addressed to Associate University Librarian, Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.