John Hadfield — Restoration Love Songs

Preston , Cupid Press, 1950. Cloth. A charming anthology comprising of lyrics dedicated to love from the period of 1660 to 1714. Limited first edition of 650 copies of which this is number 586. Illustrated throughout, featuring decorative head and tail pieces by Rex Whistler, and a coloured folding frontispiece. Among the poets represented are Dryden, the Earl of Rochester, and Congreve. Poets such as Richard Leigh and Philip Ayres are "restored in this collection to a position worthier of their merits." Describing his editorial aims, Hadfield writes "If I have brought one or two minor poets and anonymous lyrics out of the shadows, and given a more general view of a literary landscape in which four or five notable figures have hitherto been the conspicuous features, I am content." In a half buckram binding with marbled boards. Externally, smart with only light fading to the spine. Internally, firmly bound, exceptionally bright and clean. Near Fine . Ill.: Rex Whistler. Near Fine .