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From a Private European Collection
MONTAIGNE, Michel de (1533-1592)
The Essayes or Morall, Politike and Millitarie Discourses. Translated by John Florio. London: Valentine Sims for Edward Blount, 1603.
Details
MONTAIGNE, Michel de (1533-1592)
The Essayes or Morall, Politike and Millitarie Discourses. Translated by John Florio. London: Valentine Sims for Edward Blount, 1603.
First edition in English of Montaigne's Essays. Innovative and experimental, the Essays invented a new mode of discourse, anticipating the modern essay as a literary form by blending personal reflection with philosophical inquiry in a way that was unprecedented at the time of writing. The influence of Florio's translation on English writers cannot be underestimated: diverse passages in late Shakespeare show its influence – notably Gonzago's description of the ideal state in The Tempest – as do works by Burton, Milton, Hobbes, and Locke. This copy with the often lacking verses to Florio. Grolier Langland to Wither 102; Pforzheimer 378; ESTC 18041; see PMM 95 (first edition in French).
3 parts in one volume, folio (277 x 176mm). 3 letterpress title-pages, leaf of commendatory verses by Danyel, printed correction slip pasted to B1r, 3 leaves of errata (first leaf restored at edges, tiny hole on E2 and a few small repairs affecting a couple of letters, discreet repairs to final leaf with some letters reinforced, washed and pressed, a few printed shoulder notes just trimmed, toned). 19th-century brown morocco gilt by Riviere & Son, edges gilt (touch of wear at extremities); slipcase. Provenance: ‘Christo Nugent’ (faint 18th-century ownership inscription on title, possibly that of Dr Christopher Nugent (1698-1775), Irish physician, father-in-law to Edmund Burke, and one of the nine original members of Dr. Johnson's literary club) – Lucius Wilmerding (1880-1949, bibliophile and one time president of the Grolier Club; bookplate, with a typed letter signed by bookseller Alwin J. Scheuer dated 25 March 1930 congratulating Wilmerding for purchasing the volume ‘before the rise in prices of fine books’) – Arthur Swann (no. 529 in his catalogue of Wilmerding’s library, issued 1950).
The Essayes or Morall, Politike and Millitarie Discourses. Translated by John Florio. London: Valentine Sims for Edward Blount, 1603.
First edition in English of Montaigne's Essays. Innovative and experimental, the Essays invented a new mode of discourse, anticipating the modern essay as a literary form by blending personal reflection with philosophical inquiry in a way that was unprecedented at the time of writing. The influence of Florio's translation on English writers cannot be underestimated: diverse passages in late Shakespeare show its influence – notably Gonzago's description of the ideal state in The Tempest – as do works by Burton, Milton, Hobbes, and Locke. This copy with the often lacking verses to Florio. Grolier Langland to Wither 102; Pforzheimer 378; ESTC 18041; see PMM 95 (first edition in French).
3 parts in one volume, folio (277 x 176mm). 3 letterpress title-pages, leaf of commendatory verses by Danyel, printed correction slip pasted to B1r, 3 leaves of errata (first leaf restored at edges, tiny hole on E2 and a few small repairs affecting a couple of letters, discreet repairs to final leaf with some letters reinforced, washed and pressed, a few printed shoulder notes just trimmed, toned). 19th-century brown morocco gilt by Riviere & Son, edges gilt (touch of wear at extremities); slipcase. Provenance: ‘Christo Nugent’ (faint 18th-century ownership inscription on title, possibly that of Dr Christopher Nugent (1698-1775), Irish physician, father-in-law to Edmund Burke, and one of the nine original members of Dr. Johnson's literary club) – Lucius Wilmerding (1880-1949, bibliophile and one time president of the Grolier Club; bookplate, with a typed letter signed by bookseller Alwin J. Scheuer dated 25 March 1930 congratulating Wilmerding for purchasing the volume ‘before the rise in prices of fine books’) – Arthur Swann (no. 529 in his catalogue of Wilmerding’s library, issued 1950).
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