[COWLEY, ABRAHAM]

Folio (13 1/2 x 8 1/2 in.; 343 x 216 mm). Title-page printed in red and black with printer's woodcut device, decorated woodcut initials, head- and tailpieces, printer's ornaments, autograph notes on three flyleaves; title-page soiled, margins of quires *-B slightly frayed, light marginal browning throughout. Contemporary cottage-style calf, the spine in six compartments gilt (two reserved for lettering pieces), plain endpapers, edges gilt; one old long tear to front board, joints rubbed, restoration to spine ends, gilt lettering rubbed, lacking front pastedown.

Abraham Cowley (spine lettered "The Legacy of Mr. A. Cowley" and contemporary note pasted to flyleaf: "Cowley's Copy with his Autograph on the Flyleaves. Bequeathed by him to his Biographer Bishop Sprat with the Bishop's Bookplate") — by descent to his son, Thomas Sprat, Archdeacon of Rochester (armorial bookplate on title-page verso) — James Veitch, Lord Elliock (armorial bookplate with motto "Faxam extendimus factis") — James Crossley 1800–1883; auction description numbered lot 376, probably Manchester, Thompson & Son, May 1884, with incorrect publication date of 1697).    acquisition: Bernard Quaritch, 1989

Folio (13 1/2 x 8 1/2 in.; 343 x 216 mm). Title-page printed in red and black with printer's woodcut device, decorated woodcut initials, head- and tailpieces, printer's ornaments, autograph notes on three flyleaves; title-page soiled, margins of quires *-B slightly frayed, light marginal browning throughout. Contemporary cottage-style calf, the spine in six compartments gilt (two reserved for lettering pieces), plain endpapers, edges gilt; one old long tear to front board, joints rubbed, restoration to spine ends, gilt lettering rubbed, lacking front pastedown.
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.

One of two surviving books from Cowley's library. It was bequeathed to his biographer, Thomas Sprat, Bishop of  Rochester and Canon of Westminster, who was long regarded rather as a wit and man of letters than as a serious divine. His poem, "The Plague of Athens," by his admission composed "after incomparable Dr. Cowley's Pindarick way," earned him the sobriquet of "Pindaric Sprat."