Spenser EdmondABAA
87 résultats
167916502London: Henry Hills for J. Edwin 1679. First complete edition. Near fine. Hardcover. Folio. xii339i168210-119-1114-258369-391ipp. Early full calf Cambridge-style binding rebacked in the 19th century with the spine in 7 compartments intricately gilt; leather label gilt. Engraved frontispiece. Each work has its own title page and for the first three begins the pagination anew though 'The Shepherds Calandar' is mispaginated in three places. 2A-Z4 Kk mismarked K Nn mismarked NAa-Zz4Aaa-Zzz4Aaaa-Iiii4Kkkk Aaaaa-Ccccc4. A handsome copy with an inscription dated 1891 probably the date of the reback. Unbeliveably quirky pagination and signature markings but complete. One of two states of this printing: This state shows two bars with catchword 'Calen-" on page 258 followed by p. 359 'Calendarium Pastorale'. A second state lacks the catchword has 'Finis' between the bars on p. 258 an advertisement leaf and then the 'Calendarium'. Carpenter p. 111. DNB suggests that this edition may have been edited by Dryden. Wing S4965. ESTC R7177. Henry Hills for J. Edwin hardcover books
189721539London: George Allen 1897. Limited edition. Hardcover. Near fine. Illustrated by Walter Crane. 4to. Six volumes bound from parts. 85 full-page black and white illustrations by Walter Crane. Printed on handmade paper by Charles Wittingham at the Chiswick Press. Ivory colored buckram gilt spine and with the upper boards blocked in gilt and red. Volumes 3-6 also have top edges gilt and the original wrappers bound in. <br/> <br/>Cloth has traces of soil paper is lightly age-toned at the edges we note one inner hinge partially cracked else this is a fine set. One of 1000 copies.<br/> <br/>Howey F-147. George Allen hardcover books
19323785Oxford: Printed at the Shakespeare Head Press.& Published for the Press by Basil Blackwell 1932. First Thus. One of 375 numbered copies on Batchelor's Shakespeare Head handmade paper this copy being number 134 out of a total edition of 386 copies. Eight large octavo volumes 11 3/16 x 7 1/8 inches; 285 x 194 mm. Bound in the original quarter green calf over marbled boards by Douglas Cockerell. Vellum tips. Spines lettered and dated in gilt. All edges uncut. In the original glassines. Publisher's prospectus loosely laid in. Collating 8 135 1 blank 3 140<br/>-144 137-306 1 1 blank; 8 252; 8 220 1 3 blank; 8 240 1 7 blank; 8 260 2 2 blank; 8<br/>415 1; 8 240 1 3 blank; 8 278 2. With 111 woodcut illustrations decorations and title vignettes after and by Hilda Quick all hand-colored except for five that are printed in red and black. A Vewe of the Present State of Ireland with pictorial woodcut title-page border and woodcut frontispiece map of Ireland by Macdonald Gill both hand-colored. Lettering for half-titles title-pages headings and initials printed in red black and blue after designs by Joscelyne Gaskin some shoulder notes printed in red with occasional text printed in red and black. A Fine set.<br/><br/>"The text of the present edition of Spenser's Works has been prepared by Professor W.L. Renwick. It follows in every case the first editions.The decorations have been designed and engraved on wood by Hilda Quick those in The Shepheardes Calender being based on the cuts in the original editions. The initial letters and the letterings for the title- page and headings have been engraved by her from designs by Joscelyne Gaskin.The eight volumes of Spenser 1930 are equally good—different as the character of the author is but in merita nothing to choose between them. Perhaps the small devices below Spenser's sonnets printed in black and in the vellum copies beautifully laid with gold are the most discreet and opulent form of decoration fitting and in flawless taste" Franklin.<br/><br/>Franklin 150 236. Ransom 17:67. Printed at the Shakespeare Head Press...& Published for the Press by Basil Blackwell unknown books
1894006745London: George Allen 1897 parts 1894-1897. First edition. Three Quarters Crushed Morocco. Marbled pastedown. . Near Fine. One of 1000 unnumbered sets printed. 4to. 27.5 by 22 cm. 19 parts bound in 6 volumes. Pictorial pink wrappers bound in. Plates headpieces and tailpieces by Crane. Gilt rose and leaf pattern in four spine compartments lettering in two. <br /> George Allen books
1617047088London: Humphrey. Lownes. for Mathew Lownes 1617. Early Edition. Hardcover Full Leather. Good Condition. Contemporary calf rebacked and recornered marbled endpapers added hinges reinforced with cloth tape but binding quite sound overall. Lacking the general title and Faerie Queen part two title but with separate title pages for most of the individual parts and an old manuscript Faerie Queen title tipped in at the beginning. Light tide mark occasionally in bottom right corner heavier in last dozen or so pages. Scattered minor browning small marginal repair to C3 right edge of Foure Hymnes Title replaced - generally very good or better internally. Faerie Queen colophon dated 16012. ESTC S122304 with points B3r stanza 1 begins "Young Knight"; R3r catchword "And". Lacking blank at end of Faeirie Queen; a confusing book to collate but collates as follows: 363pp 10 56pp blank 4 5-16 14 blank 26 22 14 10 14 12 10 6 10 8pp.<br/><br/>Faeries Queen The Shepheards Calender Mother Hubberds Tale A Letter of the Authors etc no separate title or pagination Colin Clouts Come Home Againe Prothalamion Foure Hymnes Dapnaida Complaints Containing Sundry Small Poemes of the Worlds Vanitie The Teares of the Muses Virgils Gnat no separate title but half title with dedication The Ruines of Rome no separate title The Fate of the Butterfly Visions of the Worlds Vanitie etc no separate title. A few of the last poems Visions Petrarch Virgil are translations from du Bellay.<br/><br/>Old inscription describing provenance on front endpaper. <br/> Size: Folio. Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilo. Category: Literature & Literary; Poetry. Inventory No: 047088. H[umphrey]. L[ownes]. for Mathew Lownes hardcover books
1895175910London: George Allen 1895. hardcover. fine. Crane Walter. Bold illustrations by Walter Crane. Originally issued in 19 parts Seven title pages eighty-eight full page woodcut illustrations one double page 132 head and tailpieces and numerous woodcut initials. Now exquisitely rebound in 3/4 crimson crushed morocco 6 volumes small 4to marbled endpapers. London: George Allen 1895-97. A fine set.<br/><br/> Limited first book-form edition of Walter Crane's "most ambitious project of book illustration" Lacy 103 one of 1000 large-paper copies.<br/><br/> George Allen unknown books
161166412The First Collected Edition of SpenserÃs Works and First Folio Edition SPENSER Edmund. The Faerie Queen: The Shepherds Calendar: Together with the Other Works of EnglandÃs Arch-PoÃŽt Edm. Spenser: Collected into one Volume and carefully corrected. London: Printed for H.L. for Mathew Lownes 1611. First collected edition of SpenserÃs works and first folio edition second issue with the title to The Second Part of the Faerie Queene beginning with signature R dated 1613 and the colophon dated ì16012î sic. With the Prosopopoia. Or Mother Hubberds Tale consisting of a single gathering A of eight leaves and dated 1612 on the title not found in the first issue. Lacks the last blank Hh6 at the end of the second part of The Faerie Queen; but has the blank Q8 at the end of Letter to Raleighonly found in first issue and blank F4 at the end of The Shepherds Calendar. Folio. 11 inches x 7 1/2 inches. i-vi 363 xvi; x 56 16 xxvi iv xxvi vi xvi x xii iv. General title within woodcut border McKerrow & Ferguson 212 twelve woodcut illustrations and ornamental borders decorative woodcut head- and tail-pieces and initials. The woodcuts in The Shepherds Calender were used in all the earlier separate editions. Beautifully bound by Riviere in full cherry red straight grain morocco ruled in gilt on covers gilt-stamped on spine with five raised bands. Gilt turn-ins. All edges gilt. Small restoration to outer margin of title-page not affecting text and small closed cut to page 162 some toning mostly in outer margins. Overall a very good and solid copy in an appropriate binding. "The first modern English poet to achieve major stature Spenser demonstrated with his fluency in many meters and stanzaic forms that English waÂs at least the equal to any other language as a vehicle of great poetry. While his poetry particularly The Faerie Queene looks backward as the culmination of the allegorical verse tradition of the Pearl Poet Langland and Chaucer he has influenced with his fertile imagination and especially his sensuous imagery and melodic language nearly every important English poet who followed him." Grolier Langland to Wither 239. Johnson 19. Pforzheimer 973. STC 23084. HBS 66412. $7500 Printed for H.L. for Mathew Lownes hardcover books
1611105854Folio 10 x 7 ins. London: Printed by H. L. for Mathew Lownes 1611. Folio 10 x 7 ins. paginating thus: Faerie Queen i-xvi 363 3 inc. final blank; Shepheards Calendar x 56 2 blank; Prosopopoia 16; Colin Clout 26; Prothalamion 4; Amoretti 16; Epithalamion 6; Foure Hymnes 16; Daphnaida 10; Complaints 12; The Teares of the Muses 12; Virgils Gnat 20; The Ruines of Rome 6; Muiopotmos 10; Visions of the Worlds Vanitie 6; The Visions of Petrarch 2 pp. General title within woodcut border McKerrow & Ferguson 212 twelve woodcut illustrations and ornamental borders decorative woodcut head- and tail-pieces and initials. The woodcuts in The Shepheards Calender were used in all the earlier separate editions. A bright clean copy handsomely bound in early 20th century crushed red morocco paneled in gilt and blind inner dentelles all edges gilt; skillfully rebacked a few scuffs to the boards. Bookplates of Edward N. Crane and of John L Clawson 1865-1933 of Buffalo NY whose collection of Elizabethan literature was considered the greatest of its time. § First collected edition of Spenser’s works and first folio edition second 1615 issue with the title to The Second Part of the Faerie Queene beginning with signature R dated 1613 and the colophon dated “16012†sic. With the Prosopopoia. Or Mother Hubberds Tale consisting of a single gathering A of eight leaves and dated 1612 on the title not found in the first issue. "The first modern English poet to achieve major stature Spenser demonstrated with his fluency in many meters and stanzaic forms that English was at least the equal to any other language as a vehicle of great poetry. While his poetry particularly The Faerie Queene looks backward as the culmination of the allegorical verse tradition of the Pearl Poet Langland and Chaucer he has influenced with his fertile imagination and especially his sensuous imagery and melodic language nearly every important English poet who followed him." Grolier Langland to Wither 239. Johnson 19. Pforzheimer 973. ESTC S123122. Printed by H. L. for Mathew Lownes hardcover books
05070London: Printed for J. Brindley 1751. First Birch Edition with Thirty-Two Magnificent Double-Page Copper Plates by William Kent<br/>In a Stunning Mid Eighteenth Century Red Morocco Binding in Perfect Condition<br/><br/>"The Aim of Publishing The Faerie Queene was to <br/>Fashion a Gentleman or Noble Person in Virtuous and Gentle Discipline"<br/><br/><br/>SPENSER Edmund. The Faerie Queene. With an exact Collation of the Two Original Editions Published by Himself at London in Quarto; the Former containing the first Three Books printed in 1590 and the Latter the Six Books in 1596. To which are now added A new Life of the Author and also A Glossary. Adorn'd with thirty-two Copper-Plates from the Original Drawings of the late W. Kent Esq; Archtect and principal Painter to his Majesty. London: Printed for J. Brindley and S. Wright 1751. <br/><br/>Edmund Spenser's rich allegorical poem of fierce lady knights monsters duels and Classical gods and goddesses handsomely illustrated by William Kent.<br/><br/>First Birch edition. Three quarto volumes 10 11/16 x 8 5/16 inches; 276 x 212 mm. iv blank 4 lxiii 1 blank ii i-xxxvii i blank 1-212 217-453 3 blank; ii blank 2 1-450 2 blank; ii blank 2 1-440 2 blank pp. Thirty-two fine double-page copper-plates all mounted on stubs by William Kent. Numerous engraved vignette tail-pieces. There are 20 plates in the first volume 7 in the second and 5 in the third volume. Some light scattered foxing throughout - the most noticeable being on gatherings M & N pp. 80-96 and plate number 4 between pp. 30/31 in volume 1. Otherwise a spectacular and immaculate set.<br/><br/>Contemporary English full red goatskin the covers gilt tooled with a dog-tooth roll border enclosing an elaborate panel of six different thistle and flower tools. Spines with five raised bands elaborately bordered and decorated in gilt in compartments. Two dark green morocco labels decoratively bordered and lettered in gilt. Elaborate gilt board edges marbled endpapers all edges gilt. The binding which is near immaculate has been attributed as "possibly by John Brindley 1705-1758. The book was also published by John Brindley.<br/><br/>John BRINDLEY before 1705-1758. Primarily a bookseller also a publisher. Reproduction of his trade card in Heal Collection Heal17.17 advertises "John Brindley Bookseller and Stationer at the King's Arms in New Bond Street. Bookbinder to Her Majesty and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales: Sells books in all languages variety of novels plays &c. Also all sorts of stationary wares stampt paper bonds cards shop & pocket books &c. Wholesale and retail. Likewise neatly binds books in all sorts of binding. Money for any library or parcel of books." British Museum.<br/><br/>"Most of our knowledge of John Brindley comes from The Oldest London Bookshop by George Smith and Frank Benger published in 1928. Brindley began as a bookbinder and although in 1728 he established the bookselling business in New Bond Street which was to gain further renown under the successive managements of Robson Boone and Ellis bookbinding remained one of the firm's activities until after his death. He held the appointment of bookbinder to Queen Caroline and to Frederick Prince of Wales and a number of presentation bindings to them on books published by Brindley are in King George III's library at the British Library. Comparison of these with other presentation bindings at Windsor with Brindley books from the library of Mr. George Smith sold at Sotheby's on 22nd July 1959 and with sets of the duodecimo classics published by Brindley between 1744 and 1754 enables us to identify many of the tools used in his shop and some of this specialities. The most striking of these was a partiality to edge decoration and to gaily marbled and gilt edges on sets of the classics. Brindley also bound for the Harleian Library. There is only one reference to him in Humfrey Wanley's Diary when he applied - apparently unsuccessfully - on 3 February 1719/20 to Wanley for some work saying that 'his Lordship lately gave him a Book to Bind'. But after Wanley's death he was apparently more successful and four bills of his survive for books supplied and books bound during the years 1733-8 among the Portland papers on deposit in the British Library". Nixon. Five Centuries of English Bookbinding. London 1978.<br/><br/>This is the first edition since 1609 to publish The Faerie Queene as a separate work. <br/>It is a new collation of the first two editions with a new biographical sketch written by the editor Thomas Birch. Birch 1705-1766 was a compiler of histories a biographer and formidable antiquarian. A member of the Society of Antiquaries and fellow of the Royal Society he is known primarily for The Works of the Honourable Robert Boyle 1744 Memoirs of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth 1754 Lives and Characters of Illustrious Persons 1747-52 and The History of the Royal Society of London 1756-7. <br/><br/>"Thomas Birch describes his intention as "the collecting of all the Facts relating to him Spenser dispers'd in different Books and the examining digesting and supplying them by his own Works not hitherto sufficiently made use of for that Purpose" Life vol 1 p. ii. He arranges the available material into a more shapely narrative than most emphasizing Spenser's struggles for recognition and patronage more than his literary accomplishments. Birch believes that the concluding six books of the Faerie Queene were written and then lost" English Poetry 1579-1830: Spencer and the Tradition.<br/><br/>"The Edition of the Fairy Queen now offer'd to the Public it is hop'd will be found to be a just Representation of the genuine Text not hitherto given in any single Edition but form'd from an exact Collation of the two original ones of the Author compar'd in the three last Books with the first Folio printed at London in 1609 which has furnish'd Corrections of some Mistakes in the 4to of 1596. Nothing therefore now remains for the Honour of our Poet and the Satisfaction of the Public but that the Learned and Ingenious unite their Labours towards such a Commentary upon his admirable Poem as Mr. JORTIN has oblig'd the World with a Specimen of his Remarks printed in 1734" from Birch's Life of Spenser herein.<br/><br/>The superb double-page illustrations are by William Kent 1685-1748 an eminent English architect landscape architect painter and furniture designer of the early 18th century. He is important as an illustrator of the poem because he was the first designer to respond imaginatively to the possibilities of Spenser's landscape and as a result had a major influence on later eighteenth-century taste. Spenser's reputation as an English gothic poet owes much to Kent's influence but Kent was a sophisticated enough artist and reader of the poem to respond also to the Italianate elements in Spenser's work which strongly corresponded with his own interests. Kent introduced the Palladian style of architecture into England with the villa at Chiswick House and also originated the 'natural' style of gardening known as the English landscape garden at Chiswick Stowe House in Buckinghamshire and Rousham House in Oxfordshire. He complemented his houses and gardens with stately furniture for major buildings including Hampton Court Palace Chiswick House Devonshire House and Rousham. His book designs show the results of his extensive travels decorative sense and the influence of picturesque landscape design which reached its height in the mid-eighteenth century.<br/><br/>The Faerie Queene is an English epic poem by Edmund Spenser. Books I-III were first published in 1590 then republished in 1596 together with books IV-VI. The Faerie Queene is notable for its form: it is one of the longest poems in the English language; it is also the work in which Spenser invented the verse form known as the Spenserian stanza.On a literal level the poem follows several knights as a means to examine different virtues and though the text is primarily an allegorical work it can be read on several levels of allegory including as praise or later criticism of Queen Elizabeth I. In Spenser's "Letter of the Authors" he states that the entire epic poem is "cloudily enwrapped in Allegorical devices" and that the aim of publishing The Faerie Queene was to "fashion a gentleman or noble person in virtuous and gentle discipline".<br/><br/>Edmund Spenser 1552-1599 presented the first three books of The Faerie Queene to Elizabeth I in 1589 probably sponsored by Sir Walter Raleigh. The poem was a clear effort to gain court favour and as a reward Elizabeth granted Spenser a pension for life amounting to £50 a year though there is no further evidence that Elizabeth I ever read any of the poem. This royal patronage elevated the poem to a level of success that made it Spenser's defining work. <br/><br/>Book I is centered on the virtue of holiness as embodied in the Redcrosse Knight; Book II is centered on the virtue of Temperance as embodied in Sir Guyon who is tempted by the fleeing Archimago into nearly attacking the Redcrosse Knight; Book III is centered on the virtue of Chastity as embodied in Britomart a lady knight. Book IV is largely a continuation of events begun in Book III; Book V is centered on the virtue of Justice as embodied in Sir Artegall; and Book VI is centered on the virtue of Courtesy as embodied in Sir Calidore. In addition to the six virtues Holiness Temperance Chastity Friendship Justice and Courtesy the Letter to Raleigh suggests that Arthur represents the virtue of Magnificence which "according to Aristotle and the rest" is "the perfection of all the rest and containeth in it them all"; and that the Faerie Queene herself represents Glory hence her name Gloriana. The unfinished seventh book the Cantos of Mutability appears to have represented the virtue of "constancy."<br/><br/>Graesse p. 465; Lowndes V 2477; Allibone 2203; ESTC T35152; Alston 3:93. London: Printed for J. Brindley, 1751 unknown books
15953367London:: printed by Thomas Creede for VVilliam Ponsonbie 1595. FIRST EDITION. The colophon reads: "London Printed by T.C. for William Ponsonbie. 1595.". Quarto:. 18 x 13 cm. 80 p. Signatures: A-K4 An attractive copy in early 20th c. calf. Very nice internally the last leaf with 16th c. verses in Latin and English on the verso of the final leaf. With a woodcut printer's device McKerrow 299 and decorative border to the title page and numerous head- and tailpieces throughout. A lovely copy of the first edition. This copy has the second state of sheet C with the reading "worthily" on C1r line 24. With a dedicatory epistle to "The Right worthy and noble Knight Sir Walter Raleigh" dated "from my house of Kilcolman the 27. Of December. 1591." In addition to "Colin Clout" this volume also includes Spenser's "Astrophel: A pastorall Elegie upon the death of the most Noble and valorous Knight Sir Phillip Sidney" dedicated to Sidney's widow who had by then become the Countess of Essex; An untitled poem beginning "Ay me to whom shall I complaine…" often referred to as "The dolefull lay of Corinda"; "The mourning Muse of Thestylis" by Ludowick Bryskett; "A pastorall Aeglogue upon the death of Sir Phillip Sidney Knight" signed L.B. Ludowick Bryskett; "An Elegie or friends passion for his Astrophill" by Matthew Roydon; "An Epitaph upon the right honourable sir Phillip Sidney Knight: Lord governor of Flushing" by Walter Raleigh; "Another of the Same" almost certainly by Sir Edward Dyer.Spenser's "Colin Clout's Come Home Again' a pastoral poem in the tradition of Petrarch was inspired by the poet's visit to England from 1590 to 1591 a journey undertaken at the urging of Walter Raleigh. Spenser wrote the poem dedicated to Raleigh upon his return to Kilcolman castle in Ireland –the 'Home' referred to in the poem's title. Spenser's adoption of an Anglo-Irish identity was publicly expressed in the title poem where the 'home' that Colin refers to rather bitterly in the poem is Ireland not England. At the same time the elegies on Sidney as the English nation's poet imply Spenser's claim to be his successor. The poem has been called Spenser's most biographical and indeed it includes not only the visit from Raleigh to Spenser's home in Ireland in 1589 but also an account of Spenser's sea voyage and his time in England during which he presented the first three books of his 'Faerie Queen' to Queen Elizabeth.The poem fits neatly into a tradition of advice literature that exempts the monarch from the general failings of his or her courtiers and includes strong criticisms of the court as well as attacks on the vanity ignorance and greed of courtiers in general. It is possible that Colin Clout was intended as a criticism of Elizabeth's regime in the 1590s especially if we bear in mind Spenser's own lack of preferment in England and his posthumous criticisms of the queen in 'Two cantos of Mutabilitie' A. Hadfield Edmund Spenser's Irish Experience 1997 chap. 6 Ashley V 194; Pforzheimer 967; STC 23077 printed by Thomas Creede for VVilliam Ponsonbie, books
15953120London:: printed by Thomas Creede for VVilliam Ponsonbie 1595. FIRST EDITION. The colophon reads: "London Printed by T.C. for William Ponsonbie. 1595.". Quarto:. 18 x 13 cm. 80 p. Signatures: A-K4 A wonderful copy bound in fine early 20th c. burgundy morocco by Riviere & Sons. Very nice internally the last leaf carefully washed. With a woodcut printer's device McKerrow 299 and decorative border to the title page and numerous head- and tailpieces throughout. A lovely copy of the first edition. This copy has the second state of sheet C with the reading "worthily" on C1r line 24. With a dedicatory epistle to "The Right worthy and noble Knight Sir Walter Raleigh" dated "from my house of Kilcolman the 27. Of December. 1591." In addition to "Colin Clout" this volume also includes Spenser's "Astrophel: A pastorall Elegie upon the death of the most Noble and valorous Knight Sir Phillip Sidney" dedicated to Sidney's widow who had by then become the Countess of Essex; An untitled poem beginning "Ay me to whom shall I complaine…" often referred to as "The dolefull lay of Corinda"; "The mourning Muse of Thestylis" by Ludowick Bryskett; "A pastorall Aeglogue upon the death of Sir Phillip Sidney Knight" signed L.B. Ludowick Bryskett; "An Elegie or friends passion for his Astrophill" by Matthew Roydon; "An Epitaph upon the right honourable sir Phillip Sidney Knight: Lord governor of Flushing" by Walter Raleigh; "Another of the Same" almost certainly by Sir Edward Dyer.Spenser's "Colin Clout's Come Home Again' a pastoral poem in the tradition of Petrarch was inspired by the poet's visit to England from 1590 to 1591 a journey undertaken at the urging of Walter Raleigh. Spenser wrote the poem dedicated to Raleigh upon his return to Kilcolman castle in Ireland –the 'Home' referred to in the poem's title. Spenser's adoption of an Anglo-Irish identity was publicly expressed in the title poem where the 'home' that Colin refers to rather bitterly in the poem is Ireland not England. At the same time the elegies on Sidney as the English nation's poet imply Spenser's claim to be his successor. The poem has been called Spenser's most biographical and indeed it includes not only the visit from Raleigh to Spenser's home in Ireland in 1589 but also an account of Spenser's sea voyage and his time in England during which he presented the first three books of his 'Faerie Queen' to Queen Elizabeth.The poem fits neatly into a tradition of advice literature that exempts the monarch from the general failings of his or her courtiers and includes strong criticisms of the court as well as attacks on the vanity ignorance and greed of courtiers in general. It is possible that Colin Clout was intended as a criticism of Elizabeth's regime in the 1590s especially if we bear in mind Spenser's own lack of preferment in England and his posthumous criticisms of the queen in 'Two cantos of Mutabilitie' A. Hadfield Edmund Spenser's Irish Experience 1997 chap. 6 Ashley V 194; Pforzheimer 967; STC 23077 printed by Thomas Creede for VVilliam Ponsonbie, books
15913119London:: Imprinted by Thomas Orwin for VVilliam Ponsonbie dwelling in Paules Churchyard at the signe of the Bishops head 1591. FIRST EDITION. . Quarto: . 18.5 x 14 cm. 184 p. Collation: A-Z4 lacking final blank Z4 Bound in fine early 20th c. green morocco with gilt turn-ins and the words “Complaints – Edmund Spenser – 1591†tooled in gold on the front board. The same neatly tooled on the spine. A nice copy never washed or pressed with wide outer margins. The edge of the title is a little frayed far from the woodcut there are light damp-stains in signatures D and S and a very faint one in the final signature. A few other trivial stains. It is highly unusual to find Spenser quartos in such condition the majority of the surviving copies having been washed and trimmed. Fortunately the binder of this copy resisted that temptation. The general title has a fine woodcut border with figures of David and Moses. There are separate title pages using the same woodcut border for “The Teares of the Muses†“Prosopopoia. Or Mother Hubberds Tale†and “Mviopotmos. Or The Fate of the Butterflieâ€. There are also a few attractive woodcut head-pieces and initials. The contents are as follows: 1. The Ruines of Time. 2. The Teares of the Muses. 3. Virgils Gnat. 4. Prosopopoia or Mother Hubberds Tale. 5. The Ruines of Rome: by Bellay. 6. Muiopotmos or The Tale of the Butterflie. 7. Visions of the Worlds vanitie. 8. Bellayes visions. 9. Petrarches visions. “Of the nine poems in the volume four are sonnet sequences while the others are in rhyme royal ottava rima sixaines or couplets. Each appears with a separate title page: five are dedicated to prominent courtiers or patrons and four are printed with no dedication. The first ‘The Ruines of Time’ is a lament on the destruction of the Roman city of Verulamium followed by an elegy on the deaths of Robert Dudley the earl of Leicester and Sir Philip Sidney. It is followed by ‘The Teares of the Muses’ a series of nine laments that deplore the corruption of learning and poetry. ‘Virgil’s Gnat’ the tale of a shepherd’s rescue by a humble gnat is an elaborate mock-heroic complaint translated from the pseudo-Virgilian ‘Culex.’ Next ‘Prosopoia or Mother Hubberds Tale’ takes the form of an allegorical beast-fable; its satire generally assumed to have been directed against Lord Burleigh was probably the reason that ‘Complaints’ was recalled shortly after its publication and that the poem was subsequently omitted from the 1611 folio of Spenser’s works see the following item. The volume continues with ‘The Ruines of Rome’ a translation of Joachim Du Bellay’s lament on the corruption of the modern city and ‘Muiopotmos’ a mock-heroic fable of the entrapment of a butterfly by a spider. The three sonnet sequences two of which are translations conclude the volume: ‘Visions of the Worlds Vanitite’ ‘The Visions of Bellay’ and ‘The Visions of Petrarch.’ For a thorough analysis see Katharine A. Craik Spenser's "Complaints" and the New Poet in Huntington Library Quarterly Vol. 64 No. 1/2 2001 pp. 63-79. Johnson A Critical Bibliography of the Works of Edmund Spenser printed before 1700 No. 14; STC 2nd ed. 23078; Pforzheimer 968 Imprinted by Thomas Orwin for VVilliam Ponsonbie, dwelling in Paules Churchyard at the signe of the Bishops head, unknown books
