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Full-Leather. RARE ORIGINAL 1794 BINDING. Rare Subscription Only Issue, and a FIRST EDITION THUS and in its original leather binding and VERY RARE THUS; possible the only remaining copy in the original issue binding. It is, of course, delicate because of this. Privately printed in 1794, this is an outstanding collectable version of the original great fantasy epic. This is the story that has gone on inspiring generations of imaginary worlds, most notably, in our present time, by the brilliant Philip Pullman with his Dark Materials trilogy. Milton created much of the territory we now expect to find in many fantasy writers; here is the most powerful of all Dark Lords; here is a story with a cursed tree, and an invented cosmology; here are ringing battles of good against evil, with angelic cavalries and vast demonic engines of war. This heavy one volume edition is magnificently illustrated with delicate engravings, and it is beautifully typeset on heavyweight handmade paper. The letterpress is very much of the school that says, 'Good typography should not call attention to itself.' The thick and textured paper is a world away from wood pulp; there is no deterioration, and it is still white and clean. There is an engraved portrait of Milton as a frontispiece, an engraved dedication to the Prince of Wales, who heads the list of subscribers. The full list is then printed. There are 12 superlative engraved plates, and 12 engraved vignettes. 4to., 283 x 228 mm, bound in the original straight-grained morocco. The spine is gilt, with a black rectangle for the title, which is also gilt and surrounded by delicate tooling. There are hand marbled endpapers and the text edges are also marbled. It was published in London by J.& H. Richter, in 1794. First, and only, subscription edition with these extraordinary illustrations. The very fine plates and vignettes were created and designed by H. Richter and engraved by J. Richter, a father and son team who published the work themselves. They were reknowned engravers, and this is their masterpiece. This is a beautifully bound copy, with the most exquisite original patinated tan leather binding. The spine is still pretty firm, although there is some slight distress at the edges, not surprising when you consider the size and age of this superb book. Naturally, along with the signs of age, there is evidence of use, but nothing major or structurally damaging. I have decided against having any restoration work carried out. Too often this takes away more than it restores. I have seen only one other copy of this book. It had been entirely rebound. It was glossy as a racehorse, and firm as a rock, but the new leather took away all the graceful signs of age. Like cosmetic surgery, it made the book look false. I sell this special book with some reluctance, aware that I shall probably not see its like again. I hope whoever buys this will keep its original binding. This is a seminal book of English literature, a key part of the Western tradition of enquiry and questioning. A rare book indeed. 0.0 0.0 0.0.
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