Lot 60: DONNE, JOHN.

Poems, by J.D. with Elegies on the Authors Death. M. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633

Condition Note:

4to, first edition of the author's collected poems, without the two extra leaves 2A1 and 2A2 present in some copies ("The Printer to the Understanders, etc."), woodcut initials, contemporary panelled calf gilt, gilt edges, without preliminary and final blanks, title slightly spotted, light marginal dampstaining to most leaves including title, a few leaves at end heavily dampstained, a few very small rustmarks, some wear and staining to covers, rebacked

STC 7045; Keynes 78; Grolier Wither to Prior 286; Hayward 54

I.A. Shapiro, ownership inscription on front free endpaper with autograph notes regarding the states of certain leaves (e.g. "Nn1 (p.273) in first state (no headline)")

the principal printed collection of donne's poems

"Sometimes the two leaves of The Printer etc. have been omitted altogether. It is evident that they were an afterthought and were inserted only in a portion of the edition, so that their absence is not a defect" (Keynes).