The Seasons (1778)
Description
The Seasons (1778)
by James Thomson
6 ¾ x 4 ¼. In English. Printed for W. Strahan, J. & F. Rivington, et al., London, 1778. EARLY EDITION. Complete. Contemporary full leather. Boards with light to moderate wear, spine head and tail suffering the most. Red label with gilt title, “THOMSON’S SEASONS.” Front joint starting, but still solid. Corners moderately bumped. Light penciling to front endpapers. A remarkably clean text block. Free from foxing, stains, or ownership markings. Unobtrusive light browning, particularly to early and closing leaves, and lightly browned, especially at margins. Vignette to title page and four full page engraved plates. Overall an ATTRACTIVE 18th century copy of this hugely popular poetic cycle in its original binding, complete with a life of the author.
Thomson's masterpiece and perhaps the most popular English-language poem in blank verse from Milton to the Romantics. He treats each season in succession, describing changes in the weather and landscape of the Scottish border country (where he was born) as well as its inhabitants, human and otherwise, occasionally ranging as far afield as Africa, Surinam, the Arctic, Lapland, and Russia. Each poem devotes particular attention to rivers, rural pastimes and industries, as well as to assorted insects, birds, and beasts. "Winter" was first published in a brief version in 1726. By 1727, Thomson was composing "Summer," followed by "Spring" in 1728, and finally "Autumn" in 1730.
Price: $125
Shipping: FREE via USPS Media Mail
Inventory Number: 87051
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