(Donne, John)

4to (7 7/8 x 5 5/8 in.; 201 x 142 mm). Title within elaborate historiated engraved border, a few woodcut initials and head- and tailpieces; A2–4 with clean internal tear touching but not obscuring a few characters, some light dampstaining at lower margins. Contemporary limp vellum; recased and rebacked, front joint cracked at bottom, stained, ties lost. Half brown morocco folding-case.

John Donne (signature and motto on title-page) — Most likely Henry King (a friend of Donne's to whom some books were apparently bequeathed; King was appointed Bishop of Chichester in 1642) — Chichester Cathedral Library (bookplate; Keynes's inventory locates several other books from Donne's library at Chichester Cathedral Library) — Sotheby's London, 16 May 1977, lot 75 (undesignated consignor) — John F. Fleming (Christie's New York, 18 November 1988, lot 113). acquisition: Purchased at the foregoing sale through Bernard Quaritich

cf. Keynes, Donne, Appendix IV (this book unrecorded)

4to (7 7/8 x 5 5/8 in.; 201 x 142 mm). Title within elaborate historiated engraved border, a few woodcut initials and head- and tailpieces; A2–4 with clean internal tear touching but not obscuring a few characters, some light dampstaining at lower margins. Contemporary limp vellum; recased and rebacked, front joint cracked at bottom, stained, ties lost. Half brown 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.

John Donne's copy, with his signature ("J: Donne") and Italian motto on the title-page. Donne's motto is taken from Petrarch: "Per Rachel ho servitor, & non per Lea" (Canz. xix, st. 7.1). "Donne's reason for using this motto was obscure until Mr Percy Simpson made the suggestion that he was referring to the medieval symbolism whereby Rachel represented the contemplative life and Leah the active. He implied in this way that circumstances had forced on him a life of action though his inclination was for study and contemplation" (Keynes).

More than two hundred books have been identified from Donne's library, and they stand as the tangible evidence that "Donne's erudition and virtuosity in ecclesiastical polemics [were] founded on hard reading and familiarity with contemporary writings" (Keynes). Donne's care in reading is shown by his system of marginal pencil markings—short horizontal or diagonal rules, crosses, wavy lines, and braces—and about half the pages of Victorelli's text are so marked.