1807 The Works of Virgil | John Dryden Translation | Fine Leather Binding | Marbled Edges

A beautifully preserved miniature-format edition of The Works of Virgil, published in London in 1807 and presenting the celebrated works of the ancient Roman poet Publius Vergilius Maro (Virgil) in English, including his Pastorals (Eclogues), Georgics, and the Aeneid. The edition is associated with John Dryden’s celebrated English translation and includes a life of Virgil by William Walsh. 

Virgil remains one of the foundational figures of Western literature. His Eclogues evoke an idealized pastoral world; the Georgics explore agriculture, rural life, nature, and man’s relationship with the land; and the Aeneid recounts the legendary journey of the Trojan hero Aeneas following the fall of Troy and the events ultimately connected with the founding mythology of Rome.

This exceptionally handsome copy is bound in full brown leather, with gilt rules framing the boards and an elegant blind-tooled ornamental border. The spine is divided into compartments with gilt rules and repeated gilt floral ornaments with a dark leather title label lettered VIRGIL in gilt.

One of the most striking features is the marbling carried across the page edges, coordinated with the wonderfully vivid blue, orange, cream and red marbled endpapers. The volume also retains its engraved frontispiece and engraved title page to Virgil’s Æneis, translated by John Dryden.

Of additional interest is the provenance: the front pastedown bears the engraved armorial bookplate of Sheffield Neave (1799–1868), a prominent British banker who served as Governor of the Bank of England from 1857 to 1858. The handsome heraldic bookplate identifies the volume as having formed part of Neave’s library, adding a notable association and documented nineteenth-century provenance to this already exceptionally attractive copy.

Printed by Ellerton and Byworth for J. Walker, W. J. and J. Richardson and others. 556pp.

Condition: Very Good+. Binding remains tight and secure. The leather retains a rich patina with expected light rubbing and wear. The gilt remains bright. Light occasional age toning. Very well preserved overall. 

Scarce

Size:  2.9” x 5.1”.

A wonderful Regency-era fine binding, combining classical literature, early nineteenth-century book arts, engraved illustration and unusually decorative marbling in a remarkably compact format.