Paradise Lost. A Poem, in Twelve Books and Paradise Regain’d. A Poem in Four Books.

MILTON, John.

Item Number: 104080

London: Printed for J. and R. Tonson and S. Draper in the Strand, 1749-1752.

Elaborately bound and illustrated edition of Milton’s epic poems Paradise Lost and Paradise Regain’d, edited by Bishop Thomas Newton and dedicated by him to the Earl of Bath, at whose expense this edition was published and with a critique of the work by Addison. Quarto, three volumes, bound in full contemporary calf with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. With twenty steel-engraved plates by Francis Hayman including two frontispiece portraits of Milton. From the library of Dr. J. Woodward with his marginal commentary and several pages of bound manuscript notes, as well as his ownership signatures to Volumes II and III. Armorial bookplates to the pastedown of each volume. In near fine condition. An exceptionally handsome set of Milton’s epic works, finely illustrated.

First published in 1667, “Paradise Lost is generally conceded to be one of the greatest poems in the English language; and there is no religious epic in English which measures up to Milton’s masterpiece… Milton performed an artist’s service to his God” (Magill, 511, 515). It is considered by critics to be Milton's major work, and it helped solidify his reputation as one of the greatest English poets of his time. The poem concerns the biblical story of the Fall of Man: the temptation of Adam and Eve by the fallen angel Satan and their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Milton's purpose, stated in Book I, is to "justify the ways of God to men." The present edition, edited by Bishop Thomas Newton and dedicated by him to the Earl of Bath, at whose expense this edition was published, remains Newton's best known work.