The faerie queene / by Edmund Spenser. 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; Architect and principal painter to his Majesty. Vol. I. [II. - III.]
London: Printed for J. Brindley, in New Bond-Street, and S. Wright, Clerk of his Majesty's Works, at Hampton-Court, M.DCC.LI.
Physical Description
3 vols, [32] plates: illus.; 275 mm.
General Note
This edition of the work includes, in Vol. 1: The life of Mr. Edmund Spenser by Thomas Birch (p. i-xxxvii), The faerie queene, books 1-2 (1-453); in Vol. II: The faerie queene, books 3-4 (1-450); and in Vol. III: The faerie queene, books 5-7 (1-440). The engraved plates after drawings William Kent are found in Vol. I facing pages 4, 13, 26, 31, 44, 46, 53, 58, 69, 90, 105 [although should be facing 103], 125, 140, 144, 149, 221, 241, 257, 302, 342; in Vol. II facing pages 45, 106, 125, 182, 333, 349, 365; in Vol. III facing pages 16, 257, 271, 317, 335. The work opens with Spenser's dedication to Queen Elizabeth I.
References
ESTC, T35152
Reproductions
Also available as a microfilm: Woodbridge, CT : Research Publications, Inc., 1986. - 1 reel ; 35mm. - (The Eighteenth Century ; reel 3940, no. 04)
Provenance
The front pastedown carries an armorial bookplate for Samuel Stephens, Esqr
The verso of the front flyleaf has a bookplate with the motto 'Sic itur in altum' and the initials 'R.C' below.
Below the bookplate is an inscription in black ink in an italic hand, 'Constance H. Cowan. / From I.A.C. & W.W.C. Christmas 1917.'
Also on the verso of the front flyleaf, in the upper left-hand corner, is a note regarding acquisition and 'Ex libris Sir Howard Colvin'.
Binding Note
Bound in brown leather with gilt decoration; spine lettered in gilt, 'Spenser's / Faerie / Queene' and ' Vol: I : [II : - III :]'