- 34
M[ilton], J[ohn].
Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce... London: Imprinted in the year 1645
4to (183 x 153mm.), unauthorized edition, marginal annotations including manicules, modern calf-backed marbled boards, new endpapers, some browning and spotting, some staining, lacking final blank
Probably a pirated edition of Milton's famous essay, written in the wake of the breakdown of his own marriage in 1642 (his 17 year old bride had deserted him after a few weeks) in which he argued that the traditional grounds for divorce were insufficient, and that a man should be able to divorce his wife if the marriage had become spiritually and emotionally barren. In fact desertion did not come to constitute grounds for divorce until 1937. "Milton does not argue for equal rights for the woman in marriage, but his views none the less anticipate in several respects the position that English law reached in 1969, when it was decreed that the irretrievable breakdown of a marriage constituted grounds for divorce." (Gordon Campbell, Oxford DNB).
Probably a pirated edition of Milton's famous essay, written in the wake of the breakdown of his own marriage in 1642 (his 17 year old bride had deserted him after a few weeks) in which he argued that the traditional grounds for divorce were insufficient, and that a man should be able to divorce his wife if the marriage had become spiritually and emotionally barren. In fact desertion did not come to constitute grounds for divorce until 1937. "Milton does not argue for equal rights for the woman in marriage, but his views none the less anticipate in several respects the position that English law reached in 1969, when it was decreed that the irretrievable breakdown of a marriage constituted grounds for divorce." (Gordon Campbell, Oxford DNB).
Literature
Wing M2111; Parker 15a; Coleridge 17
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where 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."
"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."