first edition Hardcover
1718 · London
by Prior, Matthew
London: Printed for Jacob Tonson at Shakespear's-Head over against Katharine-Street in the Strand, and John Barber upon Lambeth-Hill, 1718. Book. Good condition. Hardcover. First thus edition. Folio. 40 preliminary pages including a list of subscribers, followed by 506 pages of text, and six pages of index. Full leather binding is heavily worn, with front board detached and the rear hinge cracked, remaining attractive but in disrepair. Front endpaper detached. Illustrated with an engraved frontis, title vignette and numerous initials and head and tail pieces. The engravings are by B. Brown and D. Beauvais after designs by L. Cheron. Minor foxing to the top margin of most pages as well as the first and final few pages. Previous owner's name "Haistwell 1719" at the top of the title page; this is most likely Edward Haistwell F.R.S., Director of the South Sea Company, who died in 1744. There is an old manuscript addition in block script at the foot of page 295 which matches the name "Edward Haistwell MDCCXIX" written at the top of page 317. A few other old notations in the text, and a handmade bookplate of "A. Rogers 1914 Scripta Manet" on the inside front cover as well as several old bookseller catalogue listings of this title. Several verses contained in this edition were not printed in the first edition, making this the first thus edition. Dedication to Lionel Earl of Dorset and Middlesex, and contains a eulogy on Charles Sackville 6th Earl of Dorset (1638? -1706). Includes a work by Mrs. Elizabeth [Rowe] Singer (1674-1737) p.31-33 "Love and Friendship: A Pastoral." Matthew Prior (1664-1721)..
(Inventory #: 016834)