This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/20/2022
ARIOSTO, Lodovico (1474–1533). –– HARINGTON, John, Sir (1561–1612), translator. Orlando Furioso [bound with] The Most Elegant and Wittie Epigrams. London: G. Miller for J. Parker, 1634. 2 works in one, 4to in sixes (279 x 184 mm). (Tiny scorch mark on M3, marginal browning throughout). Engraved title–page within an architectural border with Harrington’s portrait at the bottom by Cockson, 46 full–page engravings, engraved cartouches, woodcut decorated initials (engraved title–page reinserted on stub; large repaired closed tear, corner repaired to sig. Gv engraving). Full contemporary calf rebacked preserving original morocco lettering–piece). THIRD EDITION of Harrington’s translation of this epic into English heroic verse, and the first edition to contain his “Wittie Epigrams”, originally published separately in 1615. Harrington was the courtier and godson of Queen Elizabeth who translated this work in 1591. “Being well versed in the Italian language, [Harrington] translated a tale out of Ariosto’s ‘Orlando Furioso’, which was highly pleasing to the ladies; but the Queen, who was not unacquainted with what passed around her, soon got a sight of her god–son’s poetry, and, thinking it proper to affect indignation at some indelicate passages, forbad our author the court, till he translated the entire work” (Nugae Antiquae, Vol. I, pp. ii–iii [1779 edition]). STC 748; Lowndes I:64. From the private library of a distinguished Chicago book collector.