8vo, first edition, PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR ON FRONT ENDPAPER ("W.S. Landor | to his friend | Esther Hare | June 2. 1858"), WITH AUTOGRAPH CORRECTIONS ON UPWARDS OF 50 PAGES, original green blind-stamped cloth, preserved in folding cloth case within matching quarter green morocco case, spine darkened and repaired, portion of spine detached, lower cover detached, upper cover nearly detached, water-staining to edges of endpapers and cloth

David Holmes Autographs, Catalogue 27, receipt loosely inserted; [sold to:] Simon Noel Smith

Wise and Wheeler 50

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The corrections, which include the deletion of entire poems and the addition of new verses to others, would appear to be for a new edition, although none ever appeared. Esther Hare was the wife of Julius Charles Hare, who had been responsible for persuading John Taylor to publish the first two volumes of Imaginary Conversations.