- 23
Drayton, Michael.
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
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Description
- [Poly-Olbion]. A Chorographicall Description of all the Tracts, Rivers, Mountains, Forests, and other Parts of this Renowned Isle of Great Britain, with intermixture of the most Remarkeable Stories, Antiquities, Wonders, Rarities, Pleasures, and Commodities of the same. Divided into two Bookes; the latter containing twelve Songs, never before Imprinted. For John Marriott, John Grismand, and Thomas Dewe, 1622
folio, first complete edition, 2 parts in one volume (the first edited by John Selden), engraved allegorical additional title-page (with title Poly-Olbion) and engraved portrait of the poem's dedicatee Prince Henry by W. Hole, separate title-page to second part, 30 double-page engraved maps representing each region, woodcut head- and tailpieces and initials, late nineteenth-century gilt-panelled calf, binder's ticket of Upham's Library, Bath, spine gilt in compartments, marbled endpapers, occasional light spotting, some scratches to covers and wear to extremities, otherwise a fine clean copy
Provenance
Hale Alderley, bookplate; Robert Blagden Hale, armorial bookplate (both on front free endpaper)
Literature
STC 7228 & 7229; Grolier Langland to Wither 68 & 70; Pforzheimer 308 & 309 ("The charm of this great patriotic poem can be fully appreciated only in this first edition")
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Drayton began publication of his longest poem in 1612, but had begun working on it at least 14 years earlier. It comprises a series of songs in praise of the English and Welsh countryside, with accompanying allegorical maps. This 1622 edition is the first complete edition, containing all thirty sections, each with an engraved map.
This copy contains an early issue of the first part, having the last sheet mis-signed 'D' and the word 'Finis' between a headpiece and a tailpiece.