PARADISE LOST. A POEM IN TWELVE BOOKS and PARADISE REGAIN...
by Milton, John
Printed by Baskerville for J. and R. Tonson (London), from the text of Thomas Newton, D.D., bishop of Bristol and a Milton scholar who had published an edition of Paradise Lost in 1749 (DNB XIV, 403-5). First volume includes a list of subscribers and introductory poems: In Paradisum Amissam (in Latin) by Samuel Barrow, M.D., and On Paradise Lost by Andrew Marvel. Also includes introductory comments on the verse and the argument. Second volume includes table of contents and a biography of Milton. According to F.E. Pardoe, this was Baskerville's third printing of Milton's works; two were previously published in 1758 and 1759 (Pardoe 169). See also Philip Gaskell, 24-7; 28-9. This edition was listed in the Public Advertiser (London) on May 14, 1760. Noteworthy are the gilt-roll on the bindings and the marbled endpapers. According to Diana Patterson, the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce offered a premium for the manufacture of marbled paper in 1759. Although no premium was awarded until 1763, Baskerville was an entrant, and the front endpaper of this work is illustrated with Patterson's article on the subject (Patterson, "John Baskerville, Marbler," in The Library s6-12 (3), 1990, 212-21). Previous owner's name inscribed on endpaper of both volumes. Front joint of first volume cracked, rubbing at edges. Gilt on spines dulled. Foxing. Copy of Patterson article laid in.

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