KEATS, John. Lamia, Isabella, the Eve of St. Agnes, and Other Poems. London: Taylor and Hessey, 1820. True First Edition.

The Pinnacle of English Romanticism: John Keats’s Final and Supreme Lifetime Collection

An exceptional, bibliographically complete copy of the true first edition of John Keats’s third and final volume of poetry, published in London in early July 1820.

This legendary collection is universally recognized as one of the most important and influential works in the history of English literature. Written over the course of a single year—an astonishingly fertile period of creative brilliance—the volume features Keats's absolute masterpieces, including Lamia, Isabella, The Eve of St. Agnes, and the unfinished epic Hyperion. Crucially, it houses his unrivaled, celebrated sequence of Great Odes: "To a Nightingale", "On a Grecian Urn", "To Psyche", and "On Melancholy".

By the time this book emerged from the press, the 24-year-old poet was already gravely ill with the consumption (tuberculosis) that had claimed his mother and brother, and which would tragically take his own life in Rome just seven months later, in February 1821.

An Absolute Rarity in Complete State: Most surviving copies lack the essential preliminary leaves or the publisher's advertisements. This pristine example is exceptionally rare for containing the original half-title, the vital advertisement leaf (stating that Hyperion was left unfinished at the publisher's request), all fly-titles, and the highly elusive 8-page publisher's catalogue bound at the end.

Bibliographic Specifications

• Author: John Keats (1795–1821)

• Title: Lamia, Isabella, the Eve of St. Agnes, and Other Poems.

• Imprint: London: Printed for Taylor and Hessey, Fleet-Street, 1820.

• Edition: First Edition, First Printing.

• Format: Duodecimo (12mo) | approx. 7 x 4 inches (17.8 x 10.4 cm).

• Pagination: pp. [11], [4], 199, [1].

• Completeness: 100% Complete. Retains the half-title, the publisher's advertisement leaf dated June 26, 1820, all individual fly-titles, and the original 8-page Taylor & Hessey advertisement catalogue bound in at the rear.

• Language: English.

Binding & Condition Report

• Binding: Beautiful and structurally sound contemporary half leather over marbled boards. The spine features elegant gilt ruling and a leather title label. A wonderful, authentic period binding that perfectly preserves the character of the era.

• Internal Condition: A very clean, crisp, and outstanding copy. The text block is solid and tight. The paper remains exceptionally fresh with only the minor, natural age-toning typical of early 19th-century rag paper. Free from any modern washing or invasive restoration. A magnificent, genuine specimen.

Shipping & Logistics

Worldwide Premium Shipping: Due to the supreme cultural value and rarity of this volume, international delivery will be handled exclusively via UPS Express with full, declared-value insurance. The book will be encased in professional, custom-layered armored packaging to ensure maximum protection against impact and environmental elements during transit. Direct signature and tracking required.