Lot 116: CONGREVE, WILLIAM.

An Impossible Thing. A Tale. J. Roberts, 1720

4to, first edition, half-title ("Two Tales"), second leaf cancel as required, modern brown morocco gilt by Sangorski and Sutcliffe, spine with two raised bands, minor spotting, slight soiling, minor off-setting to free endpapers, minor bump to lower cover

Foxon C372; Pforzheimer 197

Presumably the copy sold in these rooms 11 June 1923, lot 177, for £35. The catalogue for that occasion notes "Mr. Edmund Gosse, in The London Mercury, April, 1921, calls Mr. T.J. Wise's copy of the above unique. There are, however, two others known besides the present copy, one in the British Museum, and another which recently appeared in Messrs. Pickering & Chatto's catalogue, no. 205..." No copies appear to be listed in ABPC. Foxon lists only two copies.