Paradise Lost: A Poem in Twelve Books with Prospectus and Christmas Printing of On the Morning of Christ's Nativity LIMITED EDITION
San Francisco: The Arion Press, 2002.
Limited Edition. Hardcover. Milton's monumental work of English literature is here letterpress printed on wove paper specially made by the Zerkall mill in Germany for this edition, which pays typographic tribute to two earlier editions of Milton's epic poem—the second edition of 1674 and the second Baskerville edition of 1759—with this 2002 limited edition featuring a new modernized text edited by Miltonist John T. Shawcross accompanied by a substantial essay introducing the poem by Helen Vendler of Harvard, in an edition limited to 400 numbered and 26 lettered copies, this being number 123.
Edition limited to 400 numbered copies for sale and 26 lettered copies for complimentary distribution, this being number 123. 10 3/8" X 7 1/2". xxxiv, 396pp. Bound in full black linen over boards, with inset purple leather labels lettered in gilt to both spine of book and edge of matching slipcase, itself stamped on both sides in purple with "Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil." Dust soiling to cloth of both book and slipcase, with ever so slight fraying to threads at edges of edgeworn slipcase, smudge to top edge of text block, and some stray fibers to cloth. Possible very faint whiff of cigar smoke to pages. Accompanied by the prospectus for this edition, along with the slightly creased prospectus for the 2004 portfolio of facsimile drawings by William Blake to illustrate this title (portfolio not included in this offering, prospectus only), an invitation to the publication party celebrating this title, and a special "Christmas greeting" from the publisher: a slightly creased printing of Milton's poem "On the Morning of Christ's Nativity," written in the early hours of December 25, 1629, when the poet was only 21. This is the 64th publication of The Arion Press. Very good. Item #14286
Price: $825.00