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The Works of Ben Jonson.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,450.00 USD Estimated At:2,900.00 - 3,900.00 USD
The Works of Ben Jonson.
A literary landmark: the first edition of the complete oeuvre of the first poet laureate - and the last of his folio editions. "...Formerly Printed in Two Volumes, are now Reprinted in One. To which is added A Comedy, called the New Inn, With Additions never before Published." London: Thomas Hodgkin, 1692. 9 1/2 x 14 1/4, 744 pp., original blind-tooled calf veneer expertly onlaid on mid-20th century full leather rebinding, with hubbed spine and endpapers; label of Gramercy Book Shop, N.Y., who likely commissioned restoration. The often-missing copperplate frontispiece portrait present, backed with transparent silk. Some of the English language's most proficient and artistic prose and verse, the period two-column layout in Garamond heightening the experience, presenting the poet and playwright's work as a wealthy 17th-century reader would have beheld it. Generally regarded as the first poet laureate, Jonson also trod the stage as an actor. Taps at two upper corners of modern covers, else very fine; text with pleasing, light uniform marginal toning, else very fine and clean. In all, an example with enormous appeal and charm. ESTC R15282. Hazlitt II, 320. Pforzheimer 561. Tannenbaum 673. Wing J-1006.