{"product_id":"john-milton-letters-state-london-1694-124317","title":"Letters of State,","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003eincludes three previously unpublished sonnets\u003c\/h4\u003e'Milton's four preliminary sonnets to Cromwell, Fairfax, Vane and Skinner are here first printed' (Pforzheimer). In fact, the sonnet to Vane had previously appeared in 1662, probably without Milton's knowledge, in George Sikes's \u003cem\u003eThe Life and Death of Sir Henry Vane\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe first edition of this English language-translation by Edward Phillips (1630-c.1696) of the\u003cem\u003e Literae Pseudo-Senatus Anglicani\u003c\/em\u003e, the collection of letters in Latin written by Milton in his capacity as Secretary for Foreign Tongues to the Council of State.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe collection is also important as the first printing of Phillips' life of his uncle, which contains 'many details of Milton's life that would not otherwise be known' (ODNB), and for marking the first appearance of three of Milton's preliminary sonnets - to Oliver Cromwell, Edward Fairfax, and Cyriack Skinner.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Some time before 1681 Milton's widow passed to Edward Phillips many of his uncle's papers, including an important collection of Milton's state papers, which were written in Latin. Phillips translated these papers and published them as Letters of State in 1694; he prefaced this collection with his Life of Mr John Milton, which, despite its inaccuracies and ambiguities, contains many details of Milton's life that would not otherwise be known' (ODNB).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eFirst edition; 12mo (15.5 x 9 cm); p.xxxv, line 6 with 'Six Verses', ownership inscription in pen to title, slightly toned, crude MS facsimile repair to F1; 20th century black morocco, covers ruled in gilt, flat spine in 6 compartments, very good;[6], xlviii, [6], 336pp.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eESTC R4807; Wing M2126; Shawcross 367; Pforzheimer 713.","brand":"MILTON, John; PHILIPS, Edward (translator).","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57636623679863,"sku":"124317","price":2524.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/124317_01.jpg?v=1792774689","url":"https:\/\/shapero.com\/en-us\/products\/john-milton-letters-state-london-1694-124317","provider":"Shapero Rare Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}