Antique first issue 1787 print William Ward/George Morland, The Delightful Story

Size:  (trimmed to image) 343 x 316 mm.  
Condition:  The print is trimmed to the image and has some general wear and also creasing and some losses to the bottom margin.

This is a rare first issue of a mezzotint print engraved by William Ward after George Morland.  It is on 18th century laid paper which has a watermark (not very legible). The verse below the print reads " Two blooming Nymphs all in a downy bed / In virgin raptures fell the tender flame / Entranced young Nancy lay while Lucy read / Both dwell with pleasure on the charming theme."  There are also the names of painter and engraver below and the publication line "[Published] Sept'r 1st 1787 by W Ward Warren'r Place... Kentish Town."   
It does appear to be extremely rare - a restrike was made on wove paper in c1905 by Julia Frankau to accompany her work on Ward,  but we have not found an example of the original issue print except for a hand coloured copy in the British Museum, with the same lettering as this one.