Burton, Robert

Estimate

6,000 - 8,000 USD

bidding is closed

Description

The Anatomy of Melancholy. What it is, with all the Kinds Causes, Symptomes, Prognostickes & Severall Cures of it. In Three Partitions with their Severall Sections, Members & Subsections. Philosophically, Medicinally, Historically, Opened & Cut Up. By Democritus Junior. With a Satyricall Preface, Conducing to the Following Discourse. The Fourth Edition, Corrected and Augmented by the Author. Oxford: Printed by John Lichfield, Printer to the Famous University, for Henry Cripps, 1632 [Colophon]
paper and ink

Folio (11 1/4 x 7 1/4 in.; 286 x 184 mm). Engraved title-page in 12 compartments by Christoffel Le Blon (see Johnson, Le Blon No. 1), half-title on §1r with argument of the frontispiece on verso, woodcut initials, head- and tailpieces, printer's woodcut device on colophon leaf (McKerrow 408); margins of initial leaf a trifle frayed, light browning throughout, a few scattered spots, stains, and short marginal tears, loss of upper right corner of G1 costing part of running head, dampstaining in upper inner margin in first quarter of text. Contemporary calf, triple-filleted border; worn, rebacked with endpapers renewed, craquelure on covers, corners battered, ties or clasps gone.

Provenance

Robert Burton (signature "Rob. Burton | nat. 1578 Feb." on recto of Argument of the Frontispiece) — Agnes Keyte (signature "Agnes Keyte Her Book" below quote) — Freeman's (29 September 2005, lot 828). acquisition: Purchased at foregoing sale through James Cummins

Literature

STC 4162; ESTC S122249

Condition

Folio (11 1/4 x 7 1/4 in.; 286 x 184 mm) Engraved title-page in 12 compartments by Christoffel Le Blon (see Johnson, Le Blon No. 1), half-title on §1r with argument of the frontispiece on verso, woodcut initials, head- and tailpieces, printer's woodcut device on colophon leaf (McKerrow 408); margins of initial leaf a trifle frayed, light browning throughout, a few scattered spots, stains, and short marginal tears, loss of upper right corner of G1 costing part of running head, dampstaining in upper inner margin in first quarter of text. Contemporary calf, triple-filleted border; worn, rebacked with endpapers renewed, craquelure on covers, corners battered, ties or clasps gone.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

Robert Burton's copy, with his signature on the recto of the initial leaf: "Rob. Burton | nat. 1578 Feb." Below, there is a 2-line manuscript quotation from St. Augustine's Meditations written in an English secretarial hand as well as one in Latin on the final page of text (4X3v).

Examples of Burton's autograph outside the collections of his books in the Bodleian Library and Christ Church are rare; only one inscription on a fragment of leaf from a Plaintin publication, dated 1602, has sold at auction (The Library of the late Alan G. Thomas, Sotheby's London, 21–22 June 1993, lot 152).