[AESCHYLUS (d. 456 BCE)]. POTTER, Robert (1721-1804), translator. The Tragedies of Aeschylus. Norwich: J. Crouse, 1777.
4to (270 x 210 mm). Half-title. Full contemporary tree calf ruled in gilt, spine in 6 compartments with raised bands, red leather lettering-piece in second, others completely gilt with alternating checkered and fleuron patterns, marbled endpapers (ends a bit worn, front joint splitting, some splitting to rear joint at ends, some wear to upper cover near corners). (Very occasional spotting to margins, else clean). Provenance: Elizabeth Carter (1717-1806), engraved bookplate (see Labouchere, Ladies’ Bookplates pp. 89-90) and subscriber. A renowned scholar, translator and English poet, chiefly known for her translation of Epictetus and her friend group that included the likes of Samuel Johnson and Elizabeth Montagu.
FIRST EDITION, SUBSCRIBER’S COPY, of the first complete English translation of the surviving plays of Aeschylus. Potter’s work “was published to great acclaim in 1777 and brought him to the notice of London literary society” (ODNB).