![VAUGHAN, Henry (1622-1695). Olor Iscanus. A collection of some select poems and translations, Formerly written by Mr. Henry Vaughan. London: T[homas] W[i.e. Vaughan] for Humphrey Moseley, 1651.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2001/NYR/2001_NYR_09878_0116_000(033321).jpg?w=1)
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VAUGHAN, Henry (1622-1695). Olor Iscanus. A collection of some select poems and translations, Formerly written by Mr. Henry Vaughan. London: T[homas] W[i.e. Vaughan] for Humphrey Moseley, 1651.
Small 8o (139 x 84 mm). With leaf of Latin verse preceding frontispiece, L8 errata leaf and 8-page catalogue of books printed for Humphrey Moseley at end (A1-4). Sectional titles for "Of the benefit Wee may get by our enemies," "Of the diseases of the mind and the body" and "The praise and happinesse of the countrie-life." Engraved frontispiece by Robert Vaughan (trimmed at head and probably supplied from another shorter copy.) 5 woodcut initials, head- and tail-pieces. (Small internal tear on title and A3 touching a few letters, some light dampstaining on H6-8, few catchwords and headlines shaved.) Modern green morocco gilt, edges gilt, by Riviere. Provenance: Huth (morocco bookplate), sold Sotheby's, London, 11 July 1919, lot 7681 to Dobell -- John Symmons (armorial bookplate) -- purchased from Seven Gables Bookshop, New York, 17 April 1969. Exhibited: Grolier Club, 'This powerfull rime,' 1975, no. 21.
FIRST EDITION. Vaughan, whose sobriquet the "Silurist" derived from his love for his home country in the Welsh marshes where the Silures of ancient Britain lived, holds a position not only high in English literature "but in some respects unique. The pervading atmosphere of mystic rapture, rather than isolated fine things, constitutes the main charm of his poems" (DNB). Vaughan's work remained virtually unknown until the 18th century when a copy of his poems came into the hands of Wordsworth. Olor Iscanus derived its title from the principal poem, a eulogy on the River Usk, which was accompanied by prose translations of Plutarch, Maximus Tyrius and Guevara. It was probably ready for the press in December 1647, as the dedication to Lord Digby bears that date. Thomas Vaughan, the poet's twin, intimates in his address to the reader that the work may have been destroyed had it not been for his intervention. "There is nothing objectionable in the book, and it can only be concluded that a revolution had in the meantime occurred in the poet's mind, which had rendered his secular poetry distasteful to him" (DNB). As with all of Vaughan's work, Olor Iscanus is scarce, the last copies recorded in ABPC being those sold at Sotheby's London, 5 February 1973 and 13 March 1962 (two imperfect copies were sold in 1960 and 1964). Allison 5; Grolier Wither to Prior 899; Wing V123. FINE COPY OF THIS RARE WORK.
Small 8o (139 x 84 mm). With leaf of Latin verse preceding frontispiece, L8 errata leaf and 8-page catalogue of books printed for Humphrey Moseley at end (A1-4). Sectional titles for "Of the benefit Wee may get by our enemies," "Of the diseases of the mind and the body" and "The praise and happinesse of the countrie-life." Engraved frontispiece by Robert Vaughan (trimmed at head and probably supplied from another shorter copy.) 5 woodcut initials, head- and tail-pieces. (Small internal tear on title and A3 touching a few letters, some light dampstaining on H6-8, few catchwords and headlines shaved.) Modern green morocco gilt, edges gilt, by Riviere. Provenance: Huth (morocco bookplate), sold Sotheby's, London, 11 July 1919, lot 7681 to Dobell -- John Symmons (armorial bookplate) -- purchased from Seven Gables Bookshop, New York, 17 April 1969. Exhibited: Grolier Club, 'This powerfull rime,' 1975, no. 21.
FIRST EDITION. Vaughan, whose sobriquet the "Silurist" derived from his love for his home country in the Welsh marshes where the Silures of ancient Britain lived, holds a position not only high in English literature "but in some respects unique. The pervading atmosphere of mystic rapture, rather than isolated fine things, constitutes the main charm of his poems" (DNB). Vaughan's work remained virtually unknown until the 18th century when a copy of his poems came into the hands of Wordsworth. Olor Iscanus derived its title from the principal poem, a eulogy on the River Usk, which was accompanied by prose translations of Plutarch, Maximus Tyrius and Guevara. It was probably ready for the press in December 1647, as the dedication to Lord Digby bears that date. Thomas Vaughan, the poet's twin, intimates in his address to the reader that the work may have been destroyed had it not been for his intervention. "There is nothing objectionable in the book, and it can only be concluded that a revolution had in the meantime occurred in the poet's mind, which had rendered his secular poetry distasteful to him" (DNB). As with all of Vaughan's work, Olor Iscanus is scarce, the last copies recorded in ABPC being those sold at Sotheby's London, 5 February 1973 and 13 March 1962 (two imperfect copies were sold in 1960 and 1964). Allison 5; Grolier Wither to Prior 899; Wing V123. FINE COPY OF THIS RARE WORK.