Details
PERCY, Thomas (1729-1811). Reliques of Ancient English Poetry: Consisting of Old Heroic Ballads, Songs, and other Pieces of our earlier Poets. London: J. Dodsley, 1765.
3 volumes, 8o (174 x 110 mm). Half-titles in vols. II and III (all issued); errata, advertisement and notice to the binder leaves at end of vol. III. Engraved frontispiece in vol. I by C. Grinion after S. Wale, engraved leaf of music at end of vol. II, title-, head- and tail-vignettes. (Some minor staining.) Contemporary speckled calf, spines gilt (joints starting, some chipping at spine ends, slight wear at corners). Provenance: John Hely-Hutchinson (bookplate); Hopwell Hall (bookplate).
FIRST EDITION, with cancels X4 in vol. II and B3, H4, P3, and T7 in vol. III. The dedication in volume one, while signed by Percy, is written by Samuel Johnson. "Percy made many changes in the work... there seems no reason to doubt that he changed the order of the volumes after they were all printed, making the first last, in order to bring the ballads of 'Chevy Chase' and the Robin Hood cycle at the beginning" (Grolier English). Grolier English 45; Rothschild 1521; Tinker 1662.
3 volumes, 8
FIRST EDITION, with cancels X4 in vol. II and B3, H4, P3, and T7 in vol. III. The dedication in volume one, while signed by Percy, is written by Samuel Johnson. "Percy made many changes in the work... there seems no reason to doubt that he changed the order of the volumes after they were all printed, making the first last, in order to bring the ballads of 'Chevy Chase' and the Robin Hood cycle at the beginning" (Grolier English). Grolier English 45; Rothschild 1521; Tinker 1662.