First editions, first issues, of these two important works by Byron.

First editions, first issues, of these two important works by Byron.

The first issue of Marino Faliero is identified by the Doge's speech on p. 151 consisting of only five and a half lines (Byron added seven new lines for the second issue) while p. 154 has only twenty-one lines; in the second issue there are twenty-five lines. Set in Venice in 1355, it is the story of 'a man of talents and of courage' and, as the preface and appendix attest, of a figure who fascinated Byron.

The first issue of Werner (without imprint or 'The End' on the terminal page) is dedicated 'To the illustrious Goëthe', it is one of Byron's most important works, and again takes as its motivation the tragedy of the great man assailed by the forces of the world. Byron notes in the preface, 'When I was young (about fourteen, I think) I first read this tale, which made a deep impression on me; and may, indeed, be said to contain the germ of much that I have since written'.