[Pope, Alexander.]

12mo, first edition, first impression, engraved frontispiece, ornamental initials, head-pieces and vignettes, modern tan morocco by Bramhall and Menzies, all edges gilt, preserved in matching folding box, tears to frontispiece and title repaired, D5 torn (affecting one line)

H. Bradley Martin, the sale of his library at Sotheby's New York, Highly Important English Literature, 30 April and 1 May 1990, lot 3124

Foxon P764; Griffith 198; Hayward 147 (8vo edition); Rothschild 1596

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

first edition of pope's landmark literary satire, one of the most important and rarest books of poetry of the eighteenth century.

The Dublin edition alluded to in the imprint is a ghost, perhaps an attempt on the author's part to cast responsibility for the work onto Jonathan Swift. This duodecimo edition is now established as the true first edition. A long running controversy over whether it, or the octavo edition (printed almost concurrently) came first was resolved by Dr David Vander Meulen in Pope's Dunciad of 1728. A History and Facsimile (1991), which established that each part of the duodecimo was printed before the corresponding portion of the octavo, though a significant part of the octavo was printed before the duodecimo was actually finished. The duocedimo was advertised, and probably distributed, before the octavo: it, therefore, should be regarded as the true first.

rare. Only two other copies of the 1728 Dunciad have appeared at auction since 1975 (the Slater and Borowitz copies), and both of these were the octavo edition. this, therefore, the bradley martin copy, is the only duodecimo edition to appear at auction since 1975.