Book Details

Author: Spence, Joseph:

Title: Polymetis: or an Enquiry concerning the Agreement between the Works of the Roman Poets and the Remains of the Ancient Artists. Being an Attempt to illustrate them mutually from one another.

Publication: London: Printed for R. and J. Dodsley 1747.

Description: Folio, pp.xii, 361, [i] + portrait frontispiece + 41 plates (of which 2 double page and two double page and folding). Further engraved illustrations in the text. Toning transferred from the frontispiece image to the title-page, foxing and some blotchy toning, a few short closed tears to lower margins. Contemporary mottled brown calf, raised bands, spine lightly gilt, red morocco title label, edges sprinkled red. Both endcaps plus tail endband lost, upper joint cracked at each end but holding firm, corners frayed, repaired scrape to upper board, endpapers toned, rubbed but very good overall. To front pastedown, recent bookplate of Robert J. Hayhurst, and small shelfmark label.

First edition of Spence's (1699?1768) interesting book on the connections between ancient artists and poets. The "long gestated Polymetis was published as a lavishly illustrated folio in February 1747 and earned him at least ?1450 by subscription and sale of copyright. Conceived during Spence's first visit to Italy and with much of its material collected there, Polymetis was intended to show how the works of ancient artists and of Roman poets illustrate and explain one another. It was attacked in Gotthold Ephraim Lessing's Laokoon (1766) and, though new editions appeared in 1755 and 1774, and abridged versions for the use of schools were current until the 1820s, it sank fairly quickly from serious notice. However, it proved an invaluable guide to mythological images for Keats." (ODNB). Polymetis is, in common with several of Spence's other works, written in dialogue form as he thought that the first person singular seemed arrogant.

Bibliography: ESTC T133753

Reference Number: [55035]

Price: £600

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	Author: Spence, Joseph: Title: Polymetis: or an Enquiry concerning the Agreement between the Works of the Roman Poets and the Remains of the Ancient Artists. Being an Attempt to illustrate them mutually from one another. Publication: London: Printed for R. and J. Dodsley 1747. Description: Folio, pp.xii, 361, [i] + portrait frontispiece + 41 plates (of which 2 double page and two double page and folding). Further engraved illustrations in the text. Toning transferred from the frontispiece image to the title-page, foxing and some blotchy toning, a few short closed tears to lower margins. Contemporary mottled brown calf, raised bands, spine lightly gilt, red morocco title label, edges sprinkled red. Both endcaps plus tail endband lost, upper joint cracked at each end but holding firm, corners frayed, repaired scrape to upper board, endpapers toned, rubbed but very good overall. To front pastedown, recent bookplate of Robert J. Hayhurst, and small shelfmark label. First edition of Spence's (1699?1768) interesting book on the connections between ancient artists and poets. The "long gestated Polymetis was published as a lavishly illustrated folio in February 1747 and earned him at least ?1450 by subscription and sale of copyright. Conceived during Spence's first visit to Italy and with much of its material collected there, Polymetis was intended to show how the works of ancient artists and of Roman poets illustrate and explain one another. It was attacked in Gotthold Ephraim Lessing's Laokoon (1766) and, though new editions appeared in 1755 and 1774, and abridged versions for the use of schools were current until the 1820s, it sank fairly quickly from serious notice. However, it proved an invaluable guide to mythological images for Keats." (ODNB). Polymetis is, in common with several of Spence's other works, written in dialogue form as he thought that the first person singular seemed arrogant. Bibliography: ESTC T133753 Reference Number: [55035] Price: £600 enquire << Back
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