The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Aeneis. Translated into English Verse; by Mr Dryden

London : Jacob Tonson, 1697 A good copy of the large paper 1st edition with 103 full page engravings. This is the first illustrated edition of Dryden's famous translations of Virgil's works completed in 1696. The illustrations are spectacular - each dedicated to a subscriber who donated 5 guineas for the privilege. This copy has 2 bookplates on the front pastedown endpaper. The oldest is of William Trumbull Esq (1708-1760), who was the son of Sir William Trumbull and inherited his estate. Sir William (1639-1716) was a Privy Counsellor and friend of John Dryden. This is certainly Sir William's subscription copy for which he paid 5 guineas and has the plate opposite page 125 in the Georgics section dedicated to him. He was particularly fond of the Aeneid, and Dryden notes on the second page of his Postscript to the Reader, that 'If the last Aeneid shine amongst its fellows, 'tis owing to the Commands of Sir William Trumbull, one of the Principal Secretaries of State, who recommended it as his favourite to my Care: and for his sake particularly, I have made it mine.' It likely stayed within the estate (which became the Marquess of Downshire Estate) until purchase for the Fox Pointe Library - their bookplate is the second of the two. The panelled calf boards are contemporary and in good condition with later reinforcement and some wear to corners. The spine, with raised bands and title label, is later but is degrading at the ends and there is splitting at the joints (the boards are attached). Page edges are reddened. Contents: 3 initial blanks; frontispiece by M Vander Gucht (a Flemish engraver working in England); rubricated title page; dedication to the Right Hon Lord Clifford 4pp; Life of Vergil 16pp; plate; Preface to the Pastorals 12pp; Poems to Dryden 5pp; Lists of Subscribers [which also provide a plate index] 4pp; Pastorals p 1-48 with 10 plates; Dedication to Earl of Chesterfield 5pp; Essay on the Georgics 6pp; Georgics pp 49-147 with 20 plates; Dedication (45pp); Aeneis pp 201-619 with 71 plates; Postscript to the Reader p621-623; Notes and Observations p625-640; Finis; 3 final blanks. The contents are very clean. The majority of the text and plates are on very good quality paper which has stayed white, however some sections of text and some plates (circa 18) are brown toned. There are a couple of paper flaws - eg side margin to plate 1 of Pastorals; side edge plate at p 63; a couple of tears - first page of subscribers has lost the bottom corner; small tear in the gutter of plate at p 20; small edge tear plate at p 61; and a printing fault at the top of the plate at p 56. Board size: 45 x 28.8 cm. Please enquire if you would like to see additional images.