The Iliad and the Odyssey
Homer. W[illiam] Cowper, translator. The Iliad and the Odyssey of Homer Translated into English Blank Verse, 2 Vols. London: Printed for J. Johnson, 1791. First edition thus, on fine paper.
Two quarto volumes. 668pp; 583pp. Brown half-leather over marbled boards, spines decorated in gilt, five raised bands, originally with gilt-stamped titles.
Cowper's translation sought to present the poem in a straightforward "Miltonian" literary style, in response to the more traditional rhyming style format of the 1715 translation by Alexander Pope.
Spines sunned and rubbed, with three of four titles lacking; backstrips torn near spine heads; boards rubbed, toned, and edgeworn, slight loss at corners and board edges; light foxing to endleaves; dampstained along top edge of volume one; moderate toning, occasional marginalia; early pencil notes to title page of volume one, early ink ownership signature to title page of volume two. Very good overall. Item #2999
Price: $3,500.00