Spenser's Faerie Queene. A New Edition With A Glossary, And Notes explanatory and critical By John Upton Prebendary of Rochester and Rector of Great Rissington in Glocestershire. In Two Volumes. Volume the First. (Second.)
London:: Printed for J. and R. Tonson in the Strand., MDCCLVIII.
Physical Description
2 vols. ; 260 mm. (Quarto.)
General Note
Vol. I: xlii, [68], 673, [1] p. (Page 673 is misnumbered as 672.) - Vol. II: 673, [1] p.
Contents
Vol. I: [T.p., dedic.] - Preface - A Glossary ... ; Errata in the Glossary - [Dedic.] - A Letter of the Authors, expounding his whole intention ... - Verses To the Author ... - Sonnets Sent with the Faery Queen to several persons ... by the Author - [Text, 'The first (- fourth) Booke of the Faery Queene ...']. - Vol. II: [T.p.] - [Text, 'The fifth (- seventh) Booke of the Faery Queene ...'] - Notes ... - Addenda & Corrigenda; Index of Authors corrected and explained in the Notes.
Responsibility Note
The decorations are unsigned.
The edition is dedicated by the editor, John Upton, to Lady Talbot.
References
ESTC, T134641
A. Hadfield, 'William Kent's illustrations of the Faerie Queene', in Spenser Studies, 14 (2000), p.1-81
D.H. Radcliffe, Edmund Spenser: a reception history (1996).
Summary Note
The poem had been published first in 1590, and in a second edition in 1596. It tells the stories of six knights, each of whom represents a virtue. Like other literary texts, it will have been acquired by the Royal Academy as a source of subject-matter for history-painting.
This edition is not illustrated, but is decorated with headpieces and initials.
Reproductions
An electronic reproduction was published in 2003 (Farmington Hills, Mich.: Thomson Gale). A microfilm version was published in 1986 (Woodbridge, CT: Research Publications).
Provenance
The front pastedowns are inscribed in ink, 'Gio. Sheppard'. Acquired between 1802 and 1821. Recorded in RAA Library, Catalogue, 1821.
Copy Note
The rear pastedowns are inscribed in pencil, 'Repaired by R. Paling 2/92'.
Binding Note
18th-century calf; rebacked in 1992, retaining earlier red and green morocco spine-labels lettered 'Upton's Spencer Vol. I (II)'.
Subject
Knights
English poetry - Great Britain - 16th century