Memoir, Text, Selected Renderings and a Literal Translation.

SAPPHO; WHARTON, Henry Thornton (trans.)

Published by London: David Stott, 1887

About this Item

Second and expanded edition, signed limited issue, number 9 of 25 large paper copies signed by the translator, and with the limitation hand-written by him "Twenty-five copies of this book have been printed on Large Paper. Each one is numbered and signed by me, this copy being No. IX. Henry T. Wharton, May I, 1887". Unsurprisingly uncommon thus. This highly influential and comprehensive translation of Sappho notably restored the feminine pronouns to her work, and includes "a compilation of explanatory notes, various appendices, and a bibliography that lists editions, translations, and imitations if Sappho over the centuries" (Prins, p. 53). Significantly Wharton attempted to portray Sappho, "as a poet who loved women 'purely'", never sexually, "construing her as a schoolmistress for young women" (Prins, p. 59). Wharton's translation was first published in 1885 in both a trade issue and a signed issue such as here. Yopie Prins, Victorian Sappho (1999). Octavo. Text in English and Greek. Engraved frontispiece with tissue guard, engraved head- and tailpieces. Original vellum, spine and front cover lettered in red and black, gilt lyre vignette to front cover, top edge gilt, others untrimmed. 20th-century auction cataloguing neatly pasted to front free endpaper verso. Lettering to spine rubbed with slight loss, vellum soiled and a little rubbed, front board starting to bow, inner hinges cracked with gauze just visible, browned free endpapers neatly stabilised, small chip to fore edge of front free endpaper, book block firm; remaining a very good copy.

Seller Inventory # 150742

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Memoir, Text, Selected Renderings and a Literal Translation.
• Publisher: London: David Stott, 1887
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)