- 99
Burton, Robert
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 USD
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Description
The Anatomy of Melancholy, what it is. With all the Kindes, Causes, Symptomes, Prognostickes, and several Cures of it. Oxford: John Lichfield and James Short for Henry Cripps, 1621
4to (6 3/4 x 5 1/4 in.; 172 x 133 mm). Washed and pressed with residual discoloration in a few gatherings, repair to tear just touching side notes at right margin, closed tear above printer's ornaments on errata leaf. Nineteenth-century crushed red morocco panelled gilt, the spine richly gilt in 6 compartments with raised bands, marbled endpapers, edges gilt.
4to (6 3/4 x 5 1/4 in.; 172 x 133 mm). Washed and pressed with residual discoloration in a few gatherings, repair to tear just touching side notes at right margin, closed tear above printer's ornaments on errata leaf. Nineteenth-century crushed red morocco panelled gilt, the spine richly gilt in 6 compartments with raised bands, marbled endpapers, edges gilt.
Provenance
John Stevenson (inscription on verso of errata leaf) — Charles B. Foote (bookplate) Henry William Poor (leather library ticket) — Michael Sharpe (leather library ticket)
Literature
Church 210; Grolier/English 18; Grolier/Langland to Wither 30; Pforzheimer 19; PMM 120
Catalogue Note
First edition. In appearance the Anatomy is a medical work, in effect a gentle satire on the inefficacy of human learning and endeavor. One of the most popular books of the seventeenth century, "[i]t has something in common with Brant's 'Ship of Fools' ... Erasmus's 'Praise of Folly' ... and More's Utopia ... with Rabelais and Montaigne ... and like all these it excercised a considerable influence on the thought of the time" (PMM).