The Works of John Milton in Verse and Prose With a Life of the Author by The Rev. John Mitford [Eight Volumes ~ Full Leather Binding ~ Later Edition]

London: Bickers and Son, Later Edition, 1867. A beautifully bound set of the Works of John Milton, including verse, prose, and a life of the author by Mitford. Bound by a good bookbinder but unsigned. In full blue gilt morocco bindings, with gilt borders, decoration and titles. Externally very attractive with gilt title and decoration to the spine compartments, gilt decorated boards, gilt page edges and inner gilt dentelles, marbled end papers, tanned internally with some minor foxing. With a printed facsimile of the Agreement between Milton and Symonds, and plate of the 'Pedigree of Milton' to Volume I. This is widely thought of as the finest set of Milton’s Works, and is often found in particularly fine bindings as a result. This set is a good example. John Milton, was an English poet, author, polemicist and civil servant for the Commonwealth of England. He is best known for his epic poem Paradise Lost, included here in the second volume. He was a scholarly man of letters, a polemical writer, and an official serving under Oliver Cromwell. He wrote at a time of religious and political flux in England, and his poetry and prose reflect deep convictions. As well as English, he wrote in Latin and Italian, and had an international reputation during his lifetime. John Mitford was an English literary scholar, and Church of England clergyman. As well as clerical duties, Mitford contributed articles to the Gentlemans Magazine, and became the editor of its new series in 1834. Mitford was an indefatigable student of the Greek and Roman classics, and was well acquainted with the principal French, German, and Italian authors. He was well read in English literature, and was an ardent lover of painting. Amongst other literary efforts, Mitford edited numerous works in Pickering’s Aldine editions, and in 1851 Mitford edited in eight volumes The Works of Milton in Verse and Prose, and wrote for it a memoir, expanded from that in the 1832 edition of Milton's poems. Collated and complete. Pagination: Vol. I – viii, v-ccii, 270, [2]pp. Vol. II – ix, [i], 417, [1]pp. Vol. III – [vi], 530pp. Vol IV – [vi], 581, [1]pp. Vol V – [vi], 457, [1]pp. Vol VI – [vi], 488pp. Vol VII – [vi], 469pp. Vol VIII – [vi], 569, [1]pp. Provenance: bookplate for Fothergill to the front of each volume. Approximately 9 inches (23cm) tall. Condition Report Externally Spine – very good condition – gilt titles and decoration to the compartments, very clean and bright. Joints – very good condition – sound. Corners – very good condition – gently rubbed and worn. Boards – very good condition – gilt decorated, attractive. Page edges – very good condition – gilt. Binding – very good condition – attractive and good condition. See above and photos. Internally Hinges – very good condition – sound. Paste downs – very good condition – marbled, bookplate. End papers – very good condition – marbled. Title – good condition – tanned with minor foxing. Pages – good condition – tanned with minor foxing and marks. See photos.…