Milton, John

Estimate

4,000 - 6,000 USD

bidding is closed

Description

Milton, John
Eikonoklastes in Answer to a Book Intitl'd Eikwn Basilikh, the Portraiture of his Sacred Majesty in his Solitudes and Sufferings. London: by Matthew Simmons, next dore to the gilded Lyon in Aldersgate Street, 1649
ink, paper, leather

4to (7 1/2 x 5 1/2 in.; 189 x 142 mm). Title in red and black, type ornaments and woodcut initial, front blanks present; title with some some minor spotting and an almost imperceptible repair to gutter, B1 and B2 with some fraying along top edge. Contemporary paneled gilt morocco, gilt edges; some rubbing to joints.

Provenance

acquisition: John Fleming

Literature

Wing M 2112; ESTC R202156; Grolier/Wither to Prior 577; Parker p. 963; Pforzheimer 709

Catalogue Note

First edition. The present was commissioned by the council of state to be written in reply to the widelyread Eikon Basilike. The latter they feared would stir enough sympathy for the executed Charles I, that the commonwealth might be subverted. Following the Restoration, the work was ordered burned and Milton was fortunate to escape with his life; a title scarce enough to be lacking from many fine Milton collections.