The Odyssey of Homer. 5 Vols.
London: Printed for Bernard Lintot, 1725-1726. Hardcover. Small Folio. [6] xxiii, 252, [4] 384, [4] 327, [4] 286, [4]289 [8] [2] 16pp. Original crudely rebacked paneled calf in two shades with blind-stamped ruling and tooling. Title page printed in red and black with engraving by W. Kent. Decorative and historiated initials, head- and endpieces. Without frontispiece.
Pope was known for experimenting with translations from a young age. When translating the Odyssey Pope changed the metre from the dactylic hexameter of Homer into heroic couplets, rhyming pairs of lines in iambic pentameter. The Odyssey translation by Pope became a notable financial success and was influential on future translations of the poem. After having translated Homer's Iliad Pope grew tired of translating though he translated the first twelve books of the Odyssey before paying Elijah Fenton and William Broome to finish translating the Odyssey. Despite Pope's efforts to suppress this information it eventually leaked and though not impacting his profits, it hurt his reputation.
Previous owner's name inked to top of inside front covers. Volume 3 reinforced with white library tape at second front and back endpaper. Damp-staining of first and last few pages and in margins, mostly at front and end of volumes. Vol. 2 with narrow four inch water stain in margins of pages 233-236 due to water exposure. Penciled notes in margins and occasional underlining throughout, more pronounced in first three volumes. Bindings in fair, interiors in good to very good condition. Fair to very good condition. Item #55797
Price: $1,500.00