Fletcher, Phineas

4to (195 x 157 mm). Title-page printed in red and black within typographic border and with woodcut printer’s device (McKerrow 416b), separate title-pages to Piscatorie Eclogs and Elisa, both within typographic borders, the first with woodcut printer’s device (McKerrow 327), which is repeated throughout the text as a tailpiece, woodcut initials, three engraved illustrations (only present in this edition), with original blanks ¶1 and Z4; unusually fine but for a stray marginal ink smudge. Contemporary calf, covers gilt with double fillet border and central arms of Edward Benlowes, the dedicatee, spine gilt with maroon morocco label; spine restored preserving much of the original. Green morocco pull-off case gilt.

Lucius Wilmerding (bookplate; Parke-Bernet, 27 November 1950, lot 269) — Harold Greenhill (bookplate) — H. Bradley Martin (Sotheby’s New York, 30 April 1990, lot 2853). acquisition: Purchased at the foregoing sale through Bernard Quaritch

STC 11082.5; S5142; Grolier/Langland to Wither 101; Hayward 67; Pforzheimer 376

4to. Title-page printed in red and black within typographic border and with woodcut printer's device (McKerrow 416b), separate title-pages to Piscatorie Eclogs and Elisa, both within typographic borders, the first with woodcut printer's device (McKerrow 327), which is repeated throughout the text as a tailpiece, woodcut initials, 3 engraved illustrations (only present in this edition), with original blanks ¶1 and Z4; unusually fine but for a tray marginal ink smudge. Contemporary calf, covers gilt with double fillet border and central arms of Edward Benlowes, the dedicatee, spine gilt with maroon morocco label; spine restored preserving much of the original. Green morocco pull-off case gilt.
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.

First editon, a large-paper copy (195 x 157 mm), most probably bound for presentation to the dedicatee: the first of the three engravings (none of which are printed in the regular issue) depicts the arms of the author and of Edward Benlowes, the dedicatee. The Pforzheimer catalogue, while containing only a copy of the regular-paper issue, records seven large-paper copies bound with Benlowes’s arms on the covers. Several of these other large-paper copies bear presentation inscriptions by Fletcher above the engraved arms on the verso of the title-page; the Pirie copy has an inscription in this spot, but it has been inked-through at an early date. (A lengthy bookseller's description on the flyleaf suggests this now indecipherable presentation was in fact from Fletcher to Benlowes, making the present the dedication copy).

For another copy of Purple Island bound with the Benlowes arms, see the Rosebery copy in our London rooms, 29 October 2009, lot 50.