Books

Signed limited edition, number 320 of 550 copies signed by the illustrator. Latimore & Haskell pp. 54-5; Riall, p. 143. Quarto. Original vellum-backed boards, spine and front cover lettered and with designs in gilt, pictorial endpapers, top edge gilt, others untrimmed. Colour frontispiece and 23 coloured plates tipped-in on heavy brown paper, with captioned tissue guards, black and white illustrations in the text, by Rackham. Bookplate to front free endpaper. Covers lightly toned, corners slightly worn, occasional browning, minor crease to plate 7, minor abrasions to plate 19; a very good copy.

Comus: A Mask, also known as simply Comus, is a masque written by John Milton in 1634. It was first presented on Michaelmas night, September 29, 1634, before John Egerton, the Earl of Bridgewater, at Ludlow Castle in celebration of his inauguration as Lord President of Wales. Known for its themes of chastity and virtue, the narrative of Comus follows the Lady who is lost in the woods and tempted by the enchanter Comus. Her virtue and steadfastness against seduction are celebrated in the masque.