Antiquarian Books and Manuscripts

Antiquarian Books and Manuscripts

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 140. Harrington, The common-wealth of Oceana, London, 1656, contemporary calf.

Harrington, The common-wealth of Oceana, London, 1656, contemporary calf

Lot Closed

June 15, 03:20 PM GMT

Estimate

700 - 1,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

Harrington, James


The common-wealth of Oceana. London: J. Streater for Livewell Chapman, 1656


FIRST EDITION, folio (270 x 170mm.), title printed in red and black with the author's name added in manuscript ("Mr Harinton"), contemporary speckled calf, lacking frontispiece portrait, binding worn and broken


Written during the Protectorate, the publication of Harrington's treatise on an English utopia was hampered by political concerns; when it eventually appeared it was dedicated to Oliver Cromwell in order to prevent further problems. Harrington was a keen admirer of Machiavelli, whom he quotes regularly. The treatise was both respected and criticised by his contemporaries and continued to be influential in politics into the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.


LITERATURE:

Goldsmiths 1385; Pforzheimer 449; Wing H809


PROVENANCE:

"Ex dono agnoti", inscription on flyleaf; John Blandy, armorial bookplate; D.L. Cumming, signature on inside front cover

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