Oxford: Collingwoond and Co., 1811. Hardcover. Quite scarce. No copies in commerce, no auction records save for mention of the book having appeared in long-ago auction house catalogs, including the catalog for the H. Buxton Forman auction at Anderson Galleries in 1920. OCLC lists thirteen libraries owning a copy, of which ten are in the U.S. and three internationally.
Little is known about the author and poet, Janetta Philipps other than that she authored this book of poetry, and that it is possible that she was the anonymous author of the novel Delaval, published in 1802. In one her poems in this book on page 31, she notes that her poem "Stanzas" was "inserted in the novel of Delaval. However, there is intriguing other information about her in a few sources. In a biography of Percy Bysshe Shelley by James Bieri he writes that the poet was casting about for young female poets to support and help publish, and wrote to Philipps offering to help her publish her work after being shown some of her verses. He had a brief exchange of letters with her. It is not clear what finally transpired, but it is believed by some that Shelley did help her financially. He is listed as a subscriber to her book.
The English novelist, John Cordy Jeaffreson, wrote with more certainty about Shelley's financial backing in chapter IV of his book, Real Shelley. " To believe all that is told to his honour in Shelley’s Early Life is to believe that Shelley made himself responsible for the costs and charges of publishing the little volume of verse, which gave Miss Janetta Phillips her modest place in literary annals. That Miss Janetta was writing poetry whilst Shelley kept terms at Oxford, that she rose to a high place in his poetical regard in the spring of 1811, and that...he was at much pains to get subscribers for her book of poems, are matters of historic certainty. The long list of subscribers to Poems by Janetta Phillips, affords conclusive evidence that, whilst regarding her poetical ability with approval, Shelley bestirred himself in Oxford, London, and Sussex, to further Miss Janetta’s literary venture. Subscribing himself for six copies of the work. It was, doubtless, at Shelley’s solicitation that his Oxford bookseller consented to subscribe for Miss Janetta’s little volume. It is probable that the young lady had other friends besides Shelley in the University, where she found no less than eighty subscribers for her Poems (there are actually a few hundred names in the subscriber list). Still, it may be safely assumed, she was considerably indebted to Shelley’s influence in the colleges for the sympathy and money of so many gownsmen. That Shelley admired Miss Janetta’s poetry, and pushed the fortunes of her book to the utmost of his ability, is certain."
Bound in black grained cloth with an elaborate gilt design and rulings on both covers. and gilt design and titling to spine. Covers are rubbed and bumped. There is much wear along the joints, and the the front cover has been expertly reattached. It is worn at the top and bottom with fading to gilt. Rear hinge is tender. Gilt dentelles and marbled endpapers with light staining along the edges of the dentelles. Interior pages have browning, mainly along the margins, and intermittant spotting. Thhis copy bears the bookplate of Francis John Stainforth (1797-1866). Stainforth was an Anglican clergyman who was the owner the largest private library of Anglophone women writers, with more than 7000 editions and 2800 writers. Despite flaws this is a desirable copy of a very uncommon book with an interesting history associated with a major English poet. Measures 4.75 x 7.25 inches. 68 pages plus 10 page list of subscribers. POE/072123. Very Good. More