Books

The 1st edition of John Dalton's adaptation of Milton's masque Comus. The original version, an important early work, was only performed once in Milton's lifetime. The music, as is noted on the title page, was the work of the baroque composer Henry Lawes (1595-1622), who also performed in the masque. The text was published anonymously in 1637; Milton then included it in his "Poems" of 1645 & 1673. Octavo, Roman and italic types. Woodcut initial cartouches, headpieces and culs-de-lampe. The two errata, on pg. 16 & 22, corrected in manuscript. Modern brown cloth, spine lettered in gilt, early green paper wrappers (which are titled in ink) bound in. Provenance: Wynne Edwin Baxter (1844-1920; English lawyer, antiquarian and botanist; noted coroner --he conducted the inquests into the deaths of many of the victims in the Whitechapel murders of 1888-1891; noted collector of Milton; bookplate on front pastedown).

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.