Blackwell, Thomas - An Enquiry into the Life and Writings of Homer - 1735-1735

Title: An enquiry into the life and writings of Homer. Author / Editor: Blackwell, Thomas Place / Publisher / Year: Published by London, 1735 Format / Size: Duodecimo / small octavo (about 22×14 cm) Collation (Extent): 8°: [2] leaves, 335 pp., [40] leaves. Binding and physical condition: The interior condition is superb, and the work contains numerous engravings, all of which are intact. • Binding type: Half-leather binding (half-binding) of the period. The spine is brown leather, while the boards are covered with contemporary marbled paper (vein-marbled) overlaid. The corners also show remnants of a leather cover (half-leather with leather corners). • Spine: The back is divided into compartments by raised bands and bears a black, gold-ruled back label with the short title “LIFE AND WRITINGS OF HOMER.” The remaining compartments show subtle blind- or gold-stamping (floral/ornamental motifs). The leather exhibits age-related wear, rubbing, and a darkened patina. • Book block and edges: The book block is compact and sturdy. The three-sided book edges show a fine red spray (color edge), which should help protect the block from soiling when closed. The margins show natural, age-related browning. Content and title data: • Work: An Enquiry into the Life and Writings of Homer (A study concerning the life and writings of Homer). • Author: Thomas Blackwell (appeared anonymously). • Place and year of printing: London, printed in the year 1735 (roman numerals on the title page read MDCCXXXV and handwritten beneath with 1735 added). • Illustrations (Visible): • An engraved frontispiece on the left side, depicting an antique-styled bust of Homer. At the bottom it is signed “G. Vander Gucht Sculp.” (Gerard Vander Gucht, a renowned English copper-engraver of the 18th century). • An intricately engraved title-page vignette on the right side, representing a mythological or ancient scene.

Estimate:£169.55

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