Paradise Lost. A Poem in Twelve Books [And:] Paradise Regain`d. A Poem in Four B

Birmingham, John Baskerville for J. and R. Tonson in London 1759. 2 vols. (complete). 4°. [10], 416; 390 [2] pp. Frontispiece portrait of John Milton (signed "Miller"). Contemp. full calf with gilt lettering and floral decoration on spines and decorative borders along edges. Marbled endpapers. Minr rubbing alonge edges of binding. Ex Libris of Maurice Baring on inner boards and amorial bookplate or previous owner (Moncure Biddle) on each free front endpaper. Minor and sporadice foxing throughout. Overall in very good condition.

Bestell-Nr: 0311-25

Bemerkungen: Gaskell 6, 7; Wickenheiser 697; Lichtenberg, Tagebuch 13. Aug. 1771; Lichtenberg, Studien, Wallenstein, III, 17 - Second Baskerville Edition as stated in Gaskell 8, with the following errors: Headlines: p. 36, `LOSL.`; 68, 115, `LSOT.` Howevers, missing the life of Milton (pagina I-LXXII in the first volume, according to Gaskell). - "Paradise Lost, an epic poem in blank verses, separated into twelve books, broken down shortly after initial publication, following the model of Virgil`s Aeneid. Milton began writing the epic in 1658 at the age of fifty, during the last years of the English Republic. Although he probably finished the work by 1664, Milton did not publish until 1667 after the Great Plague and the Great Fire. This epic is generally considered one ot the greatest works in the English language. Milton followed up `Paradise Lost` with ist sequel, `Paradise Regained`, published alongside the tragedy `Samson Agonistes`, in 1671. Both these works also resonate with Milton`s post-restoration political situation". (Eric Chaim Kline). - Lichtenberg remembers this book in connection with an aesthetic-erotic episode in Covent Garden: "She had a tender skin too, whenever I touch Basklerville`s Milton I shall think of thee dearest star." - Baskerville is considered the most important English printer of the 18th century. His books are characterized by new, rigorous aesthetic principles.

Schlagworte: Literatur