The Greek Tragic Theatre: Containing Aeschylus by Dr. Potter, Sophocles by Dr. Franklin, and Euripides by Mich Wodhull, Esq. With a Dissertation on Ancient Tragedy by Thomas Franklin. In Seven Volumes. London: Edward Jeffery, c.1777, 8vos.
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A beautiful set containing the major and several minor works by the three great Greek playwrights of tragedies - Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, in their English translations. As on the title labels, this set includes, among other works, Prometheus Chained (i.e. Bound), Seven Against Thebes, Antigone, Oedipus, Agamemnon, Electra, and Hippolytus. The date of c.1777 is given in pencil on the title leaf of the first volume. There is another issue of this set with a different imprint which ESTC assigns to c.1790.
RARE. This set is notably rare complete and is often found incomplete, typically without the first volume.
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Size: 141 x 217 mm (approx., each)
Condition:
Near contemporary full calf over marbled paper backed boards, rubbed with some losses, particularly at the extremities of the backstrips, as often. Each volume retains its tooled red morocco label which are rather attractive indeed. All boards are attached, some joints rubbed/starting. All edges marbled, some edges dulled. Minor shelf and edge wear. Some dampstaining, but essentially confined to title leaves and subsequent two or three, though rarely with smaller instances elsewhere, mildly toned, a bit of foxing, else generally internally clean, text legible throughout.
A nice copy of this rather scarce and notably useful set.
