- 435
POPE, A. AN ESSAY ON CRITICISM, 1711
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
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Description
- Alexander Pope
- An Essay on Criticism. For W. Lewis, sold by W. Taylor, T. Osborn and J. Graves, 1711
- paper
4to, half-title, FIRST EDITION OF THE AUTHOR'S FIRST SEPARATE PUBLICATION, with half title, without final advertisement leaf, AUTOGRAPH RECEIPT MADE OUT TO SUBSCRIBER FOR ADVANCE PAYMENT OF 'THE ILIAD' TIPPED-IN ("Receivd of Rich.d Potinger Esq. Two Guineas | being the first Paymt for Homer's Iliad | translated by A. Pope. | May 18.th"), later blue crushed morocco gilt by B.M. Pickering, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers
Provenance
The poet and bibliophile Frederick Locker-Lampson (1821-1895), bookplate; F. Grant, bookplate; James Clemens, sale at Perke-Bernet, New York, 9 January 1945, lot 348; Halsted B. Vander Poel, his collection of English literature, sale at Christie's, Wednesday 3 March, 2004, lot 66
Literature
Foxon P-806; Griffith 2; Hayward 145; Rothschild 1562
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when appropriate
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Published ten days before his twenty-third birthday (and preceded only by publication of the poem 'Pastorals' and two pieces of criticisim in 1709 in Poetical Miscellanies) An Essay on Criticism contains some of the most well-known lines in the English Language, including "To err, is human, to forgive divine", "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread" and "A little learning is a dangerous thing". Pope's translation of The Iliad was issued by subscription, one volume per year over six years at a guinea a volume. "The initial down payment was set at two guineas to defray the translator's out-of-pocket expense..." (M. Mack, Alexander Pope, 1988).