The Spirit of Hebrew Poetry. 2 Vols.
Burlington: Edward Smith, 1833. First American edition Ex Library. Hardcover. Octavo, 293 (1), 320pp. Original three-quarter calf over marbled boards with gilt lettering on red and green leather labels of spine. Speckled edges.
With translator's and author's preface and the author's "Plan of the Work" at front: "The beautiful and justly celebrated work of Bp. Lowth, de sacra poesi Hebraeorum, is universally known, and might seem to preclude the necessity of the present undertaking. A nearer comparison of its contents, however, will show, that the present work is neither a translation, nor an imitation of it. Whether the sphere, it is at least sufficiently distinct, and cannot be without its interest and use to the lovers of the most ancient, simple, and sublime poetry in general, nor indeed to all, who cherish a liberal curiosity respecting the progress of knowledge, divine, and human, as connected with the earlier history of our race." (Author).
"The general purpose of the work, required that this part should embrace the general and characteristick traits of Hebrew poetry, which mark its essential outlines, its cosmology, the most ancient conceptions of God, of Providence, of Angels, of the Elohim, and of the Cherubim, and individual objects, and poetical representations of nature." (Author). Rosenbach 358, Singerman 0548.
Binding with light wear along edges, small tears and chips, leather spine with some scuffing from removed stickers and small chips at red and green labels. Binding rubbed. Usual library marking, bookplates on inside front covers, pockets and index cards at rear. Previous owner's name inked to inside front covers. Some underlining at beginning of volume one. Light to medium foxing of blocks throughout. Good condition. Item #46993
Price: $350.00