Property From The Collection of Robert S Pirie Volumes I & II: Books and Manuscripts

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Lot 582
  • 582

Milton, John

Estimate
25,000 - 35,000 USD
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Description

  • Milton, John
  • Aereopagitica; A Speech of Mr. John Milton for the liberty of unlicensed printing, to the Parliament of England. London, 1644
  • ink, paper, leather
4to (7 3/4 x 5 /34 in.; 193 x 143 mm). Rear blank preserved, marginal note on B1 verso intact; a large copy with only very occasional faint spotting, bottom margin of title restored to outer printed rule. Modern paneled calf, gilt. 

Provenance

acquisition: Dawsons

Literature

Wing M 2092;  ESTC R210022; Grolier/Wither to Prior 569; Parker 889-90; Pforzheimer 707; PMM 133.

Catalogue Note

First edition of Milton's great argument for freedom of expression and freedom of the press

"What we owe to Milton first and foremost is the isolation of the freedom of the press from all other forms of toleration..." (PMM).

While Milton was courageous in his denunciation of censorship, the printer was rather more circumspect and remains unknown, having "exercised more than the usual caution in the use of recognizable printing material" (Jackson).