Argalus and Parthenia. Originally Compiled in Prose by Sir Philip Sidney; and Afterwards done into Verse by Francis Quarles Esq

Philip Sidney; Francis Quarles

Published by John Wilford, London, 1726

London: Printed for John Wilford, at the Three Golden Flower-de-Luce in Little Britain, 1726. Later Edition. 12mo (16.5cm.); contemporary calf recently rebacked to style, red gilt spine label, all edges marbled; [12],179,[1]pp.; copper engraved portrait frontispiece and thirty leaves of plates including added folding title page and twenty-nine plates to "illustrate the Story" (collated complete), woodcut initials, head- and tail-pieces. Publisher's advertisements printed on final page of text. Boards rather worn along margins with small losses at corners, some surface scratches, text block rather aggressively trimmed close affecting some of the plate margins, later (1824) ownership signature (probably Barnsby's) at head of title page annoyingly trimmed away, early leaves rather toned, else a Very Good, sound and pleasingly complete copy. Portions of Philip Sidney's "Arcadia" rendered into poetry by the British author Francis Quarles (1592-1644). Originally compiled by Quarles in Ireland in 1629 and published in London later that year, "Its blend of heroic, erotic, and comic elements remained popular throughout the century" (Oxford Dictionary of National Biography). Although numerous editions appeared well into the 18th century, the title is scarce today, especially complete. ESTC T117183 Provenance: Bucolic ownership ex libris to front pastedown of the English Unitarian minister and eccentric James Hews Barnsby (1783-1847). Seller Inventory # 30755

Bibliographic Details

Title: Argalus and Parthenia. Originally Compiled ...
Publisher: John Wilford, London
Publication Date: 1726
Condition: Very Good