HORACE (65-8 B.C.E.) - photo 1
HORACE (65-8 B.C.E.) - photo 2
HORACE (65-8 B.C.E.) - photo 3
HORACE (65-8 B.C.E.) - photo 4
HORACE (65-8 B.C.E.) - photo 5
HORACE (65-8 B.C.E.) - photo 6
HORACE (65-8 B.C.E.) - photo 7
HORACE (65-8 B.C.E.) - photo 8

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

Lot 83
21.10.2022 10:30UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
£ 4 032
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
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.





Special notice


No VAT on hammer price or buyer's premium.
Place of origin:Northern Europe, Europe, United Kingdom
Auction house category:Printed books
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
21.10.2022 – 21.10.2022
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Buyer Premium see on Website
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.