Books

First Baskerville edition, among the finest of all editions, here in an elegant contemporary binding in very commendable condition, and extra-illustrated with the celebrated designs of Francis Hayman. The edition was also issued in quarto, which this octavo issue preceded by six months (see Gaskell p. 26). Two vols, octavo (225 x 141 mm). Contemporary red morocco, twin green labels, gilt in compartments with floral devices, gilt border to covers enclosing large gilt centrepiece, marbled endpapers, edges marbled and gilt. Extra illustrated, Paradise Lost with portrait of Milton by George Vertue and 12 plates by Johann Sebastian Müller after Francis Hayman; Paradise Regained with 5 plates by Charles Grignion after Hayman. Bound without initial blanks; the Life of Milton normally found in Paradise Regained is bound in Paradise Lost. A fine copy. Gaskell 4 & 5.

Paradise Lost is an epic poem in blank verse by the 17th-century English poet John Milton. The first version, published in 1667, consisted of ten books with over ten thousand lines of verse.