The Works of Mr Abraham Cowley. The Fourth Edition. London: J.M. for Henry Herringman, 1674. [Together with] The Second Part of the Works of Mr Abraham Cowley. The Sixth Edition. London: Charles Harper, 1689, folio.
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A married set of the fourth and sixth editions of Abraham Cowley's Works, rare with part two. During the later Stuart period, Cowley occupied a literary stature comparable to what John Milton or Alexander Pope would later enjoy. His collected works were printed a significant number of times. He is largely associated with the Royalist court during the English Civil War, and after his death, and following the 1660 Restoration, he enjoyed enormous posthumous fame. The volume with the second part was John Sparrow's copy, the famous book-collector.
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Size: 190 x 304 mm (approx.)
Condition:
The principal work (i.e. Part I) bound in handsome contemporary boards, panelled in blind, rubbed, shelf and edge wear, rebacked (c. late 19th century), binding secure with both boards securely attached, shows well. Later blanks and endpapers, one contemporary blank extant at the rear. Some inscriptions to recto of frontispiece leaf. Text block toned, some sporadic foxing, small stains and handling marks, but generally clean throughout with the text legible.
The second volume (i.e. Part II) in contemporary full calf, rubbed and worn with the front board detached, original tooled red morocco label extant to spine, gilt in compartments to spine, faded, some loss. Front blank loose. Bookplate of John Sparrow to front pastedown, both pastedowns lifting slightly. Text mildly toned, but overall well preserved indeed, a little staining to the last few leaves. This volume includes only Part II, not including Part III, though it is mentioned on the title, and can thus be considered incomplete of that latter part, though was evidently bound without it contemporaneously.
