Antique 3rd Edition John Milton's Paradise Lost 1678 NR

This listing is for the 3rd edition of John Milton's Paradise Lost from 1678. It has been rebound at one point, probably in the nineteenth century, with a calf binding. There are 331 pages contained inside, with lovely gold gilt edges. The book measures 4 1/8" inches by 6 5/8" inches by 7/8" inch thick. From the online appraisal: "Condition: For its age, it's in great condition. Missing 2 blank leaves. Missing Milton's Portrait. A little rubbing on the back brown leather cover. Some light foxing due to its age throughout the book and the title page. otherwise clean and tight. A handsome copy in well preserved condition." The very last page has a few handwritten notes and a number written in pen in the lower right hand corner. Please scroll down to view our photos. This listing has no reserve price so don't miss your chance to win. Place your bid now!

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The online appraisal of the book:

Appraisal ID: 66361

Appraised On: 26-02-2005

Title: Paradise Lost a Poem in Twelve Books by John Milton- Date 1678

Date/Era/Period: 1678 MDCLXXVIII

Description: Third Edition. Small volume. 331pp. A handsome copy in well preserved condition, rebound, the spined tooled with raised bands multi-ruled, lettered in gilt in compartments with the the title displaying, 'Milton's Paradise Lost, Third Edition, London MDCLXXVIII. All edges gilt. Titile Page reads as Follows: Paradife Loft A POEM in Twelve Books. The Author JOHN MILTON. THE THIRD EDITION. Revifed and Augmented by the fame Author. London, Printed by S.Simmons next door to the Golden Lion in Alderfgate, 1678. Page A2 IN Paradifum Amiffam Summi Poetae Johannis Miltoni. The next page shows the initials S,B, M,D. (with a line across the page). The next page, On Paradife Loft. The next page shows the initials, A.M. The next page, THE VERSE. The next page has a line in the middle of the page, then the word Paradife', and then another line under that. Page 1, Paradife Loft, a line, Book 1,another line, The ARGUMENT.The latter contains Milton's famous justification of his use of blank verse, and his characterization of rhyme as "no necessary adjunct or true ornament of poem or good verse, in longer works especially, but the invention of a barbarous age, to set off wretched matter and lame meeter." On Page 2, halfway down the page,the Poem begins with the words, "Mans Firft Difobedience,....

Grade: Fine

Condition: For its age, it's in great condition. Missing 2 blank leaves. Missing Milton's Portrait. A little rubbing on the back brown leather cover. Some light foxing due to its age throughout the book and the title page. otherwise clean and tight. A handsome copy in well preserved condition.

Origin: I purchased this book in the late 1960's from a prestigious Glasgow, Scotland book store from a catalogue sent to me in Washington, DC. The price at that time was 25 Pounds.

Provenance: Since the late 1960's this book has been well cared for in my possession. I dearly cherish it.

Appraised By: Trevor Surgenor

Appraiser Comments: John Milton was born in London. His mother Sarah Jeffrey, a very religious person, was the daughter of a merchant sailor. His father, also named John, had risen to prosperity as a scrivener or law writer - he also composed music. The family was wealthy enough to afford a second house in the country. Milton's first teachers were his father, from whom he inherited love for art and music, and the writer Thomas Young, a graduate of St Andrews University. At the age of twelve Milton was admitted to St Paul's School near his home and five years later he entered Christ's College, Cambridge. During this period, while considering himself destined for the ministry, he began to write poetry in Latin, Italian, and English. One of Milton'e earliest works, 'On the Death of a Fair Infant' (1626), was written after his sister Anne Phillips has suffered from a miscarriage. This third edition, while not uncommon, is in relative terms the rarest of the early editions of Milton's major work. The second printing after Milton broke his orginal ten books into twelve.

* Current Fair Market Value: $450.00
** Replacement Cost: $625.00

All values are in US currency