First Edition, Third Issue
Joannis Milton Angli Pro Populo Anglicano Defensio. Contra Claudii Anonymi, alias Salmasii Defensionem Regiam.
Londini: Typis Du Gardianis, 1651.
Full Description:
[MILTON, John]. Joannis Milton Angli Pro Populo Anglicano Defensio. Contra Claudii Anonymi, alias Salmasii Defensionem Regiam Londini: Typis Du Gardianis, 1651.
First edition, third issue according to F.F. Madan, "Milton, Salmasius, and Dugard." with the Commonwealth's arms in a square engraved vignette on title, and the errata of seven lines and a publisher's note of six lines follows the title-page. ESTC states "One of three issues of Madan 1. In this issue (the third), the title-page vignette is a square metal block of the Commonwealth Arms in place of a round woodcut found in the first issue, and the initial blank of the first two issues "is folded round, so as to follow the title-page, and has on the recto seven lines of errata, with a pubisher’s note asking the reader to correct minor defects"--Madan." Small quarto (7 1/8 x 5 1/2 inches; 180 x 140 mm). [22], 205, [1, blank] pp.
Contemporary calf, rebacked with original spine. Boards with oval Maltese cross central devices in blind. Spine with red morocco spine label, lettered in gilt. Top edge dyed brown, others speckled red. Without front and back free endpapers. Spine with some chipping and repairs. Corners renewed. With some minimal underlining and marginalia in old ink. Overall a clean, very good copy.
According to Madan, this work was “the official reply of the Parliament to the Defensio Regia of Salmasius, which was having a serious effect upon public opinion on the Continent.” (F.F. Madan, “Milton, Salmasius, and Dugard” in The Library, ser.4 vol.4 (1923), p. 119.)
"This work was published amidst intense turmoil over the power of the monarchy, with John Milton responding for the side of Parliament, which hoped to sway public opinion both in England and abroad in its favor. And, the learned European audience for such a work was much more likely to read Latin than English." (Sometimes, Books Lie (Part One: Title Pages). May 8, 2014, William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, UCLA Bloc).
Wing M-2166; ESTC R32430.
HBS 68831.
$1,000.
Price: $1,000.00
Item #68831