The Odes, Epodes, and Carmen Seculare of Horace, in Latin and English. With Critical Notes Collected from the Best Latin and French Commentators. By the Rev'd Mr. Philip Francis. Dublin: Printed by S. Powell, and Sold by T. Moore, 1742-1746.
FIRST COMPLETE EDITION OF THE IMPORTANT PHILLIP FRANCIS TRANSLATION OF HORACE WHICH SAMUEL JOHNSON SAID WAS "THE BEST", VERY FINELY BOUND IN STUNNING FINELY TOOLED BINDINGS.
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In Boswell's Life of Johnson, Samuel Johnson is quoted as saying that Phillip Francis had "done it the best; I'll take his, five out of six, against them all." The complete four volume set of Horace's works from this translation is very rare, usually just the first volume is encountered and even then that is usually the later London printing. This has the scarce true first edition of the first volume from the Dublin printing and the first editions of volumes 2-4 from the London printing. This set is notably special for being beautifully finely bound in contemporary full calf. It is an incredibly attractive set on the shelf.
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Size: 128 x 205 mm (approx., each)
Condition:
[t.p., 6pp. (subscriber's list), iii-x (preface), 313pp., i]; [t.p., 385pp.]; [t.p., xvi (preface), 349pp., plate]; [t.p., 313pp., i (errata), 4pp. (advertisements)]
Stunning contemporary full calf with spines finely tooled in gilt, very attractive indeed on the shelf. Each volume retains its original tooled label. Spines a little rubbed with some very small loss to gilt in places, some discolouration at the foot of the second volume. Joints rubbed, exposed at the foot of the front of volumes one and four, but with all boards securely attached, the bindings secure, and without shelf lean. Boards a little scuffed, some with stains. Endpapers edge toned as commensurate with the bindings. Bookplate to front pastedowns and with an ink ownership inscription to the head of each title page. Generally bright throughout with some dampstaining but with all text legible. Some small light pencil writing at the head of an initial blank in the first volume, only.
[OCLC 39755660, 1184619506].
