Mr. [Thomas] Gray — Poems

Dublin, Printed by William Sleater, 1768. Leather. The first Dublin edition of a celebrated anthology written by self-reflective poet Thomas Gray, with a lovely engraved frontispiece and title vignette. First Dublin edition, published in the same year as the Cork collected edition, printed by William Flyn.  In a contemporary full calf binding, with raised bands. With contemporary endpapers and blanks. Without half title, as issued, when compared against a copy held by Hathi Trust. With the engraved frontispiece and engraved vignette title page. Two vignettes in text and woodcut ornaments.  Missing 'Ode on Ranelagh, Addressed to the Ladies', comprising p. 153-187. A very popular poet during his lifetime, Thomas Gray was known for his self-reflection and profound exploration of repressed protagonists. Being published in 1768, this anthology was possibly inspired by his newfound friendship with Swiss studen Karl Victor von Bonstetten while a professor of Modern History at Cambridge. As well as this Dublin edition containing two Latin translations of Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard, also included are two translations of the phophetic The Fatal Sisters and The Descent of Odin norse poems.  In a contemporary full calf binding, with raised bands. Spine label faded. Externally, hinges are tender, with particular strain to the front hinge. Scorch to the tail of the spine, resulting in loss, with general wear to the spine and lifting to the head. Marks to the boards and shelf wear. Internally, missing 'Ode on Ranelagh' pp.153-187, with gutter split in places. pp.59-80 working loose at the head, and to hinges pp.80-81, and to tail of pp.104-105. Subsequent slight 'springing' of the binding. Pages are generally bright and clean, with minor age toning and slight browning to leaf extremities. Loss to the front free endpaper, with symmetrical loss to the rear endpaper, adhered slightly to the rear paste down. Fair . Ill.: Not Stated. Fair .