Endymion by John Keats Value Guide

John Keats's second published work, Endymion, is a cornerstone of Romantic poetry famous for its opening line, 'A thing of beauty is a joy for ever.' This 1818 volume is highly collectible due to its controversial reception by contemporary critics and its status as a definitive example of Keats's lush, mythological style.

What affects the value of Endymion by John Keats?

• The presence of the five-line errata slip versus the rarer one-line errata slip significantly impacts market price.
• Condition of the leather binding and the presence of original boards can increase value toward the $6,000 range.
• Internal cleanliness, specifically the lack of heavy foxing or dampstaining on the delicate 19th-century paper.
• Provenance and historical ownership marks, such as bookplates of noted collectors or contemporary inscriptions.

How to Identify Endymion by John Keats?

• Verify the presence of the five-line errata leaf located after the preface, which distinguishes the second issue of the first edition.
• Check the title page for the 1818 publication date and the imprint of Taylor and Hessey, 93, Fleet Street.
• Confirm the presence of the half-title page, which is often missing in rebound or poorly preserved copies.
• Look for the printer's mark of T. Miller, Noble Street, Cheapside on the verso of the half-title or at the end of the text.

History of Endymion by John Keats

John Keats's second published book, Endymion, was notoriously savaged by critics upon its release, leading to the legend that the harsh reviews contributed to the young poet's early death. This specific volume contains the critical five-line errata leaf, identifying it as a first edition, second issue. The poem is a lush, mythological exploration beginning with the famous line, 'A thing of beauty is a joy for ever.'