Addison Miscellaneous Works 1726 1ST NR Cato, Campaign

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Offered with no reserve is the rare and desirable first edition of the “Miscellaneous Works” of Joseph Addison, containing some of his most important work, including “The Campaign,” “Cato” and the “Dialogues Upon the Usefulness of Ancient Medals,” printed at London in three volumes octavo by Jacob Tonson in 1726, and bound in the original early 18th century dark brown polished calf. The ownership inscription of Francis Meysey, dated 1726, is present upon the front free endpaper. The full title of the edition reads as follows: “Miscellaneous Works in Verse and Prose, Of the Late Right Honourable Joseph Addison, Esq; / In Three Volumes. / Consisting of such as were never before Printed in Twelves. With some Account of he Life and Writings of the Author, By Mr. Tickell. / London: / Printed for Jacob Tonson In the Strand. / MDCCXXVI [1726].” Amongst the American Revolutionaries, both Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death,” and Nathan Hale’s “I regret that I have but one life to lose for my country” derive from Addison’s “Cato,” which is present in this volume. Aside from the works enumerated above, the volumes contain “Rosamond,” the complete “Poemata,” “Of the Christian Religion,” “The Haunted House,” and the complete “Poems Upon Several Occasions,” including Addison’s wonderful translation of a section of Virgil’s Aeneid in the style of Milton (the finest translation of Virgil into English that I have read – if only he had translated the entire Aeneid). Joseph Addison was and remains the primary author of “The Spectator,” and the leading essayist in English after Bacon. He was also a highly accomplished politician, playwright and poet: his “Cato” was a significant inspiration to the American Revolutionaries and “The Campaign” was one of the most frequently quoted poems of the 18th century. Not least, he served as Under-Secretary of State, Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and Secretary of State for the Southern Department. The set is bound in the original early 18th century polished dark brown English calf, with gilt borders and spines divided by raised bands into 6 compartments. The bindings are in excellent condition and are entirely unrestored, with only very slight wear upon the corners, edges and hinges, and only a hint of scuffing upon the boards. The spine labels are lacking. The bindings present an extremely attractive appearance. Internally, the volumes are in excellent condition throughout, with only slight toning and very light, very occasional spotting. The volumes are complete in all respects and comprise 267, 321, and 328 pages respectively. Each volume measures 16.8 cm by 10.5 cm by 2.1 cm. Each leaf measures 164 mm by 98 mm. In all, this is a very attractive and very desirable copy of the scarce first edition of Joseph Addison’s “Miscellaneous Works,” containing the majority of his most famous literary works, including “Cato” and “The Campaign,” printed at London in three octavo volumes in 1726 for Jacob Tonson, bound in the original early 18th century English polished dark brown calf, in excellent condition internally and externally, complete in all respects and offered with no reserve. Please take the time necessary to review the photos below in order to gain a better understanding of the content and condition of the volume. Please also take a moment to view my other auctions of rare and desirable English and Continental printed books dating from the 15th through the 19th century. Album Album Album Album Album Album Album Album Album Album Album Album Album Album Album Album Album Clic... read more

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