Wortley, Sir Francis

Estimate

12,000 - 18,000 USD

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Description

Wortley, Sir Francis
Characters and Elegies. [London:] 1646
ink, paper, leather

Small 4to (7 1/4 x 5 3/4 ins.; 187 x 146 mm). Errata present. Typographic headpieces and initials. Original limp vellum with gilt framed sides, Tudor rose in the centers and Prince of Wales feathers at corners, later gilt spine title, original blue silk ties; very minor loss at upper corners of covers and along fore-edge of lower cover, else a fine, crisp copy. Red half morocco slipcase.

Provenance

Henry and/or Alfred Henry Huth (bookplate; Sotheby's, 22 June 1920, lot 8188, purchased by Bernard Quaritch for Rosenbach) — John F. Fleming (Christie's New York, 19 November 1988, lot 373). acquisition: Purchased at the foregoing sale through Bernard Quaritch

Literature

Wing W3634; ESTC R200973; Grolier/Wither to Prior 1080

Catalogue Note

First Edition, Presentation Copy to Lady Abigail Sherard with eleven line autograph inscription and forty-two text corrections by Wortley.

The author's written comment at the foot of the last page "never worse printer" reflected that his was unable to proof this work, being a prisoner in the Tower for his strong Loyalist views. Two poems ("Britannicus his Blessing" and "Britannicus his Welcome") in a contemporary hand are written on the rear blank leaves.