Donne, John | The first appearance of his correspondence in a cohesive collection

From the Library of Clayre and Jay Michael Haft

Donne, John

Letters to Severall Persons of Honour. London: Printed by J. Flesher, for Richard Marriot, 1651

4to (186 x 135 mm). Fine engraved frontispiece portrait of Donne by Pieter Lombart, woodcut initials and headpiece; lacking blanks Al and Ss4, small wormholes in margins, last leaf with marginal stains. Early calf, gilt medallion on sides; skillfully rebacked, some wear.

First edition. Although a few of Donne's letters had been published in the first two Marriot editions of his Poems and in the 1640 LXXX Sermons, the present work—129 letters gathered and edited by Donne's son—marked the first appearance of his correspondence in a cohesive collection.

REFERENCE:

Wing D1864; ESTC 1211; Grolier/Donne 39; Grolier/Wither to Prior 296; Keynes/Donne 55; Pforzheimer 295

PROVENANCE:

Charles Hoare (bookplate)