Donne, John | First editions of the first folio collections of Donne's sermons

From the Library of Clayre and Jay Michael Haft

Donne, John

LXXX Sermons. Preached by that Learned and Reverend Divine, John Donne. London: [by Miles Flesher for] Richard Royston and Richard Marriot, 1640 – Fifty Sermons… The Second Volume. London: Printed by Ja. Flesher for M[iles]. F[lesher]. J. Marriot, and R. Royston, 1649 – XVI Sermons… The Third Volume. London: London: printed by T[homas]. N[ewcomb]. for James Magnes in Russell-street near the Piazza in Covent-Garden, 1661

Together three works bound in two volumes, folio (338 x 222 mm). Vol. 1 with additional engraved architectonic title-page incorporating a portrait of Donne by M. Merian (second state as usual), woodcut printer's device on title-page (McKerrow 308), woodcut initials and headpieces, without initial and terminal blanks, vol 3. with inserted “To the Reader” bifolium (shorter sheet); vol. 1 with small wormtrack catching letters, vol. 2 title soiled and with a few pressed creases, vol 3. last two leaves with large marginal repairs causing loss of text on the final leaf, all with occasional spotting, some marginal browning and a few marginal chips. Later calf-backed boards to style, spines in seven compartments with six raised bands, black morocco lettering-piece in one, a repeated gilt floral panel in the remaining, decorated paper over boards; some light wear to boards, a handsome set.

First editions of the first folio collections of Donne's sermons. The prefatory essay is the first printing of Izaak Walton's classic Life of Donne. Though the second and third volumes are called such on their title-pages, they are considered separate works. The third volume was hastily edited and printed, has highly irregular pagination, and contains 23, not 26, sermons. "One hundred and sixty of Donne's sermons survive, and they demand reading and study not just as the major productions of his maturity but also as intricate and beautiful pieces of prose" (ODNB). It is uncommon for the three volumes to be found together.

REFERENCE:

STC 7038; ESTC S121697, R32764, R2935; Grolier/Donne 62; Grolier/Wither to Prior 293; Keynes/Donne 29, 30, 31