Pope The Dunciad 1728 1ST EDITION Owl Frontis UNCUT

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Offered is a stunning uncut copy in the original blue wrappers, stitched as issued, of the extraordinarily rare 1728 edition of Alexander Pope’s “The Dunciad” in its original three-book format without notes, printed at London in duodecimo (but in sixes) for A. Dodd. The volume is from the library of Douglas Grant and is housed in a very attractive blue cloth box that matches the wrappers. I am somewhat negotiable on the asking price, so please feel free to make an offer. THIS IS ONE OF THE RAREST VOLUMES OF 18TH CENTURY POETRY, A FANTASTIC SURVIVAL IN ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION, THE FIRST EDITION OF THE GREATEST WORK OF SATIRE IN ENGLISH. T have been only 3 other copies of a 1728 Dunciad at auction since 1975. This is perhaps the only copy extant in its original state, uncut and in its original wrappers. The last copy of a 1728 Dunciad to appear at auction sold for GBP 18750 in 2008; it was a rebound copy in modern morocco. This frontispiece in this copy is in the second state, with the legend divided ‘Dunci / ad’ on two lines on the banner beside the owl. Rothschild (at 1594) suggests this indicates that the present copy was likely printed by Curll (certainly it would be a Curllian thing to do), but he gives no reasons. The volume may also be referenced as Griffith 200. This is the original iteration of this wonderful mock-heroic poem, which so brilliantly satirizes the epic form. The poem is present in three books, without notes. The second iteration, which was published in 1729 as “The Dunciad, Variorum,” contained the three books, copious pseudo-scholarly notes, and numerous smaller pieces published concerning the poem, whether by critics or by Martinus Scriblerus. Then in 1741, Pope issued a third iteration, significantly revised and with an entirely new fourth book, in which the hero of the first two iterations, Theobald (or Tibbald), was replaced by Colley Cibber. Also in this iteration, the vision of the triumph of Dulness, which closed the 1728 and 1729 versions, was transformed by the end of the fourth book into an horrific realisation. The volume is of course complete in all respects; each leaf measures about 110 mm by 180 mm. The volume collates [1], A-E6. The frontispiece shows slight wear, and a short repaired tear in the lower blank margin. The wrappers also show very light wear, but are generally in remarkable condition given their fragility. The volume comprises 52 numbered pages, plus the frontispiece and 8 pages of preliminaries, including the title. In all, a stunning copy of the 1728 “Dunciad” by Alexander Pope, uncut, in the original blue wrappers and stitched as issued, with the famous ‘Owl’ frontispiece, one of the rarest first editions of one of the most important works of poetry in English and probably the greatest satirical poem in English, offered at a reasonable asking price. 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 Album Album Album Album Album Album Album Album Album Album Album ... read more

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