“NO MAN HATH WRITTEN IN OUR LANGUAGE SO MUCH, AND SO VARIOUS MATTER, AND IN SO VARIOUS MANNERS, SO WELL”

DRYDEN, John. The Miscellaneous Works of John Dryden, Esq.; Containing All His Original Poems, Tales, And Translations. London: J. and R. Tonson, 1760. Four volumes. Octavo, contemporary full tan calf, raised bands, elaborately gilt-decorated spines, tan and black morocco spine labels. $1200.

First edition of this early collection of Dryden’s miscellaneous works, with engraved frontispiece portrait of Dryden in Volume I, in handsome contemporary binding.

One of the most prolific and versatile writers in literary history, John Dryden excelled as a poet, a playwright, a critic, and a translator. According to Dr. Johnson, "Dryden may be properly considered as the father of English criticism," and Pope saw in Dryden's work "better specimens of every mode of poetry than any other English writer" (Allibone, 524). Edited and with a biographical notice by Samuel Derrick, this edition features several of Dryden's crowning poetic achievements, as well as his highly esteemed translations of Homer and Ovid. Armorial bookplates.

Rubbing to spine ends, joints split, binding sound. A very good set in contemporary full calf-gilt.