Donne, John

Estimate

15,000 - 20,000 USD

bidding is closed

Description

Donne, John
Biathanatos [first word in Greek]. A Declaration of that Paradoxe, or Thesis, that Selfe-homicide is not so Naturally Sinne, that it may Never be Otherwise. Wherein the Nature, and the Extent of all those Lawes, which seeme to be Violated by this Act, are Diligently Surveyed. London: Printed by John Dawson, [for Henry Seile, 1644]
printed book

Provenance

William Hodges (gift of the editor) — Richard Heber (cited in the Christie-Miller catalogue, although the only copy traced in the Heber sale apart from the following lot, Evans, 28 March 1835, lot 1208, was described as bound in red morocco) — S. R. Christie-Miller (Sotheby's London, 30 March 1927, lot 606) — Jerome Kern (Anderson, 8 January 1929, lot 478) — Allerton Cushman Hickmott (crest and motto Esse quam videri on folding-case). acquisition: Seven Gables, 1962

Literature

Wing D1858; ESTC R13744; Grolier/Donne 11 (this copy); Grolier/Wither to Prior 294; Keynes, Donne 47, no. 10 in his inventory of presentation copies; Pforzheimer 292

Condition

4to (7 5/8 x 6 in.; 194 x 151 mm). Woodcut initials, woodcut and type-ornament headpieces, with terminal blank Ee2; edges of title-page and following three leaves, small marginal loss to fore-edge of title-page with tear extending into printed rules, some light browning throughout. Contemporary sheep, covers with single gilt-rule border, smooth spine ruled in gilt; recased with new endpapers, spine restored, scuffed. Red morocco folding-case.
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

First edition, first issue, with the undated title-page. Large-paper, presentation copy, inscribed by John Donne the Younger, who saw the work through the press in violation of his father's wishes. Biathanatos was the earliest written of Donne's controversial works—completed, probably, in 1608—although it was published posthumously. Donne allowed at least two manuscripts of Biathanatos to circulate, although the text he sent to Sir Robert Karre in 1619 before going to Germany was accompanied by a letter in which he told Karre, "let any that your discretion admits to the sight of it, know the date of it; and that it is a Book written by Jack Donne, and not by D. Donne: Reserve it for me, if I live, and if I die, I only forbid it the Presse, and the Fire: publish it not, but burn it not; and between those, do what you will with it."

Donne's son nevertheless did publish the book, and he presented at least ten copies to friends and patrons. The Pirie copy is inscribed by him on the title-page, "Donum Johannis Donne, Authoris filius, July 6, 1650," above which the recipient has written his name, "Wm. Hodges." This volume subsequently found a place on the shelves of several of the most renowned private libraries of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. An extraordinary copy, with distinguished provenance.