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John Donne. Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death. London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633....
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Description
John Donne. Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death. London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.4to (196 x 142mm). Woodcut initials; uncancelled state of Nn1. Contemporary speckled calf, blind and gilt fillets on sides, flat spine gilt with red morocco label; full morocco pull-off case by Riviere & Son.
FIRST EDITION of John Donne's collected poems, in a rare contemporary binding. The principal collection of Donne's poetical works, issued two years after his death, and the editio princeps for virtually all of Donne's poems. This edition was based on manuscripts derived from the author's archives and provided the best seventeenth-century text of Donne's poems, although six further editions would appear by 1669. The volume is also notable for containing the first appearance of several celebrated elegies on Donne, that by Izaak Walton ("Is Donne, great Donne deceas'd?..."), and Thomas Carew's famous elegy commencing "Can we not force from widdowed Poetry, Now thou art dead (Great Donne) one Elegie To crowne thy Hearse?..." which concludes with the famous epitaph "Here lies a King, that rul'd as hee thought fit / The universal monarchy of wit..."
John Donne's enduring appeal as a poet is attributed to his distinctive wit and innovative approach to poetry. His works address themes such as intimacy, grief, science, and religion, and continue to resonate with readers across generations. This copy with "The Printer to the Understanders" and "Hexastichon Bibliopolae" bound after the first quire. A beautiful and exceptionally tall copy. According to online auction records, the present copy is the tallest copy to have appeared at auction.
Condition: Spine with some wear at ends including a small chip at foot of spine; corners on rear board repaired; some rubbing and wear to joints and extremities; front free endpaper replaced in the 18th century. Lacking initial blank [A1]. Internally very fine and crisp.
References: Grolier, Donne 81; Keynes 78; Pforzheimer 296; STC (2nd ed.) 7045.
Provenance: Thomas Fenwick, Earsdon (c.1749-c.1777; bookplate and shelfmark on inserted endpaper); Halsted B. Vander Poel (his sale, Christie's, 3 March 2004, lot 26); purchased at Christie's New York, 4 December 2018, lot 89. The Library of a Minnesota Collector.
Auction Info
2025 December 15 Rare Books Signature® Auction #6323 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2025
15th
Monday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 3
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