MILTON, John; PHILIPS, Edward (translator).
Letters of State,
Letters of State,
written by Mr. John Milton, to most of the sovereign princes and republicks or Europe. From the year 1649. Toll the year 1659. to which is added, an account of his life. Together with several of his poems; and a catalogue of his work, never before printed.
Stock Code 124317
London, 1694.
includes three previously unpublished sonnets
'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 The Life and Death of Sir Henry Vane.The first edition of this English language-translation by Edward Phillips (1630-c.1696) of the Literae Pseudo-Senatus Anglicani, the collection of letters in Latin written by Milton in his capacity as Secretary for Foreign Tongues to the Council of State.
The 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.
'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).
First 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.
ESTC R4807; Wing M2126; Shawcross 367; Pforzheimer 713.
Couldn't load pickup availability
Provenance
Provenance
Delivery
Delivery
We offer secure and express delivery on all local and international orders of rare books, maps and prints placed through this website.
About us
About us
Shapero Rare Books is an internationally renowned dealer in antiquarian & rare books and works on paper.
Our Bookshop and Gallery can be found in the heart of Mayfair at 94 New Bond Street, where most of our stock is available to view and on public display.
We exhibit at major international art fairs, including TEFAF (Maastricht and New York), Frieze Masters, Art Miami and Masterpiece London, as well as antiquarian & rare book fairs including New York, Paris, London, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Hong Kong.
Ask us a question
Ask us a question
FURTHER READING
View all-
Protect & Survive: How to Outlive the Apocalypse
The infamous booklets telling citizens how to react in the event of a nuclear attack in early 1980s Britain, originally meant to be kept secret.
Science & MedicineProtect & Survive: How to Outlive the Apocalypse
'Protect & Survive'The infamous booklets telling citizens how to react in the event of a nuclear attack in early 1980s Britain, originally meant to be kept secret.
-
Hit The Road, Jill
What were once dismissed as mere ‘observations’ are now recognised as valued contributions to the West’s interaction with the rest of the globe, enriching our knowledge of different cultures.
Travel & ExplorationHit The Road, Jill
Women Travellers in Days of YoreWhat were once dismissed as mere ‘observations’ are now recognised as valued contributions to the West’s interaction with the rest of the globe, enriching our knowledge of different cultures.
-
Perils of the Sea
When we look at early voyages, we look at what they discovered, but perhaps their greatest achievement was that they completed the voyage at all, and that notable captains such...
Travel & ExplorationPerils of the Sea
Voyages and their CaptainsWhen we look at early voyages, we look at what they discovered, but perhaps their greatest achievement was that they completed the voyage at all, and that notable captains such...
