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Robert Herrick. Hesperides: or, The Works both Humane & Divine. London: Printed for John Williams, and Francis Eglesfiel...
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Description
Robert Herrick. Hesperides: or, The Works both Humane & Divine. London: Printed for John Williams, and Francis Eglesfield, 1648.2 parts in one volume, 8vo (171 x 106 mm). Engraved frontispiece portrait by William Marshall (on verso of [A1]), woodcut device of a crown on title, with the scarce errata leaf, three cancelled leaves (C7, N8, O8), and separate title page to His Noble Numbers dated 1647. 18th-century full dark blue (or black) goatskin, the covers tooled with double gilt-ruled border, inner gilt corner-pieces surrounding a decorative gilt centerpiece, smooth spine with double gilt-ruled border with gilt ornaments at both ends and center, red leather spine label double-ruled and lettered in gilt, edges gilt.
FIRST EDITION of the work Herrick himself considered his "definitive life's work"(ODNB), and the only printed record of his collected poetry published in his lifetime. The printer is unknown, but he is excoriated by Herrick in a quatrain above the errata: "For these Transgressions which thou here dost see, / Condemne the Printer, Reader, and not me; / Who gave him forth good Grain though he mistook / The Seed; so sow'd these Tares throughout my Book." The printer's errors were so numerous on three leaves they required cancels.
A REMARKABLE COPY, ENRICHED WITH A VARIETY OF MANUSCRIPT NOTES AND WITH A DISTINGUISHED PROVENANCE FROM THE IMPORTANT LIBRARIES OF FARMER, CALDECOTT, BINDLEY, DANIEL AND HUTH. Rev. Richard Farmer has transcribed Herrick's biographical details from Wood's account, Athenae Oxonienses (1721), on a leaf inserted at the front of this copy (subscribed below by later owner George Daniel: "The above account of Herrick is in the handwriting of Dr. Farmer to whom this very beautiful copy in old blue morocco belonged..."). Following Farmer's ownership, the book became part of James Bindley's notable library of Elizabethan and Stuart works, on which he spent almost his entire income. The volume was later owned by Thomas Caldecott who has added his manuscript notes and commentary on approximately 50 pages as well as additional underlining of words and passages-a practice he also applied to his annotated editions of Milton's Poems on Several Occasions and Reid's 1813 edition of Shakespeare, both now held by the British Library. Subsequent provenance includes the Daniel and Huth Libraries. The ownership chain of this distinguished copy represents some of the most eminent collectors of the past 250 years.
Condition: Binding repaired at head of spine and along upper edge of front board, with repairs along upper edge; upper joint worn but holding; spine and joints rubbed; some minor wear at edges; lacking two original ties. Tiny paper reinforcement at upper corner on verso of portrait; occasional minor spotting or marginal toning.
References: Grolier, English 29; Grolier, Wither to Prior 441; Hayward 95; Pforzheimer 468; Wing H1596, H1597.
Provenance: R. Philips (early inscription on frontispiece verso: "ex dono H. Aubrey Junioris"); Rev. Richard Farmer (1735-1797), Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge (inscription on inserted leaf at front; his library, sold by Mr. King at King Street, Covent Garden, 6 June 1798, lot 6303); James Bindley (1737-1818), incurable bibliomaniac (his sale of the second part of his library, sold by Mr Evans at 26, Pall Mall, 13 January 1819, lot 448); Thomas Caldecott (1744-1833), barrister and literary editor (inscription; his sale, Sotheby's London, 11 December 1833, lot 583); George Daniel (1789 -1864), editor of several Shakespeare plays, satirical poet and bibliophile (inscription; his sale, Sotheby's London, 22 July 1864, lot 801); Henry Huth (1815-1878), by descent to Alfred H. Huth (bookplate; his sale of the third part of his library, Sotheby's London, 11 June 1913, lot 3627); John Whipple Frothingham, bookplate; purchased at Sotheby's, 15 December 2015, lot 28. 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: 4
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