Lot 156
Barclay, John
Rare Books, Manuscripts & Photographs
Auction: Rare Books, Manuscripts & Photographs | 09 May 2007
Description
His Argenis: or, The loves of Poliarchus and Argenis.....translated out of Latine …. London: G. P[urslowe] for Henry Seile, 1625. First edition thus, folio, woodcut printer's device on title and attractive woodcut initials and ornaments, contemporary polished calf with border fillets (partly gilt), gilt initials 'T.M.' stamped front and back in an 18th century style, rebacked, spine and old title label remounted, paper ruckled, very occasional minor marginal stain, small tear in one leaf just touching one word
Footnote
Note: STC 1392; Lowndes 112; Graesse I 291.
The first edition of this translation by Kingesmill Long of the principal work of John Barclay, born in France but of partly Scots parentage. It is "a political and historical romance, in which there is reference...to recent events on the Continent, notably to the wars of the League, and the characters have some resemblance to actual personages, such as Henri IV of France" (Oxford Comp. to Eng. Lit., 4th ed.).. The verse portions in this edition are stated by STC to have been translated by T[homas] May.
Provenance: Possibly bound for Thomas Martin (1691-1771) of the Society of Antiquaries.