Marvell, Andrew.

folio (290 x 190mm.), first edition, engraved frontispiece portrait, title within double-rule border, printer's device (McKerrow 195), address "To the Reader" by "Mary Marvell", S1 a cancel replacing R2-T1, X1 a cancel replacing U2-4 and X2, modern full crushed green morocco by Banks, spine gilt in six compartments, red morocco labels, small repair to outer margin of frontispiece,tiny burn hole to I3, minor soiling to H4, very occasional spotting, new endpapers, but a near fine copy

Wing M872; Grolier Wither to Prior 536; Hayward 126; Pforzheimer 671

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."

one of the major poetical publications of the seventeenth century. This posthumous collection of Marvell's poems is introduced by Mary Marvell with the statement: "These are to Certifie every Ingenious Reader, that all these Poems, as also the other things in this Book contained, are Printed according to the exact Copies of my late dear Husband, under his own Hand-Writing, being found since his Death among his other Papers..."

Robert Boulter was one of the original publishers of Milton's Paradise Lost  (see lot 65), and in the same year (1681) was to be arrested for predicting the imminent fall of the monarchy. Three Cromwell pieces were excised by Boulter from the present edition shortly before publication, explaining why nearly all copies have the two cancel leaves replacing signatures S and X: only the British Library and the Huntington are recorded as holding the unexpurgated issue with the 16 leaves of Cromwell poems.