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HORACE (65-8 B.C.E.)

Lot 83
21.10.2022 10:30UTC +01:00
Classic
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£ 4 032
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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ID 829516
Lot 83 | HORACE (65-8 B.C.E.)
Estimate value
£ 2 000 – 3 000
HORACE (65-8 B.C.E.)

The Works of Horace In English Verse. By several hands. Collected and published by Mr. Duncombe with notes historical and critical. London: R. and J. Dodsley, 1757-1759.

Editor’s presentation copy of Horace’s Odes to one of the contributing translators, Samuel Johnson; and with further exceptional provenance having been in the libraries of ‘a most learned judge’, the Principal Private Secretary to Prime Minister William Gladstone, and a Chief Secretary for Ireland. The earliest writings of the editor, William Duncombe, were those of translation, with his version of Horace's Carmen saeculare appearing in 1721. The present work continues in the same vein and contains translations by Duncombe and his son, as well as Samuel Johnson’s version of Book I.xxii. Originally a schoolboy exercise, this is also the only one known that Johnson liked well enough to revise and publish, first in the Gentleman's Magazine, July 1743, p. 380, and later in a more elaborate revision that appears in the present lot, vol I, p.82, where it is initialled ‘S. J.’



Duncombe must have presented the first volume to Johnson upon publication in 1757. Although there is no presentation inscription in volume II which appeared two years later, Johnson evidently completed the set, and then presented it 1762 to the 11 year-old son of his good friend, the physician Sir Thomas Lawrence (1711-1783). Soulden Lawrence (1751-1814) ‘was described by Lord Campbell as one of “the best lawyers that have appeared at Westminster Hall in my time”’ (ODNB). Later the book entered the libraries of Sir Algernon Edward West (1832-1921, Principal Private Secretary to Prime Minister William Gladstone) and Augustine Birrell (1850-1933, Liberal Party politician and Chief Secretary for Ireland).



2 volumes, octavo (197 x 118mm). (Vol. I: without half-title, crack to textblock after A4 in vol. I, tiny hole in X5 affecting catchword due to printing flaw but without loss; Vol. II: without half-title as published, gatherings *F4-*G2 inserted between F2-3 as published, without final leaf 2R8, probably a blank; both vols with occasional faint scattered spotting.) Late 19th-/ early 20th-century half calf over marbled boards, green and red morocco gilt spine labels back, marbled endpapers and edges (extremities rubbed). Provenance: William Duncombe (1690–1769, writer; ink inscription on verso of title in vol. I stating ‘Given me by Mr Duncombe 1757’, with a note that this is in the hand of:) – Samuel Johnson (1709-1784; gift inscription dated May 1762 on flyleaf of vol. II to:) – Sir Soulden Lawrence (1751-1814, judge) – Sir Algernon Edward West (1832-1921, Principal Private Secretary to Prime Minister William Gladstone; letter from Horace West pasted onto front free endpaper and note on flyleaf in vol. I regarding the bequest of the book to:) – Augustine Birrell (1850-1933, Liberal Party politician; bookplates and note in his hand regarding the provenance of the volumes on flyleaf of vol. I dated April 1921; thence by descent to:) – Francis Birrell (d.1934; pencil inscription on front free endpaper of vol. I noting bequest to:) – Harold Baker.





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Place of origin:Northern Europe, Europe, United Kingdom
Auction house category:Printed books
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