Blackwell, Thomas - An Enquiry into the Life and Writings of Homer - 1735-1735

Title:
An enquiry into the life and writings of Homer.

Author / Editor:
Blackwell, Thomas

Place / Publisher / Year:
Published by London, 1735

Format / Size:
Duodecimo / small octavo (about 22×14 cm)

Collation (Extent):
8°: [2] leaves, 335 pp., [40] leaves.

Binding and physical condition:

The interior condition is superb, and the work contains numerous engravings, all of which are intact.

• Binding type: Half-leather binding (half-binding) of the period. The spine is brown leather, while the boards are covered with contemporary marbled paper (vein-marbled) overlaid. The corners also show remnants of a leather cover (half-leather with leather corners).

• Spine: The back is divided into compartments by raised bands and bears a black, gold-ruled back label with the short title “LIFE AND WRITINGS OF HOMER.” The remaining compartments show subtle blind- or gold-stamping (floral/ornamental motifs). The leather exhibits age-related wear, rubbing, and a darkened patina.

• Book block and edges: The book block is compact and sturdy. The three-sided book edges show a fine red spray (color edge), which should help protect the block from soiling when closed. The margins show natural, age-related browning.

Content and title data:

• Work: An Enquiry into the Life and Writings of Homer (A study concerning the life and writings of Homer).
• Author: Thomas Blackwell (appeared anonymously).
• Place and year of printing: London, printed in the year 1735 (roman numerals on the title page read MDCCXXXV and handwritten beneath with 1735 added).

• Illustrations (Visible):

• An engraved frontispiece on the left side, depicting an antique-styled bust of Homer. At the bottom it is signed “G. Vander Gucht Sculp.” (Gerard Vander Gucht, a renowned English copper-engraver of the 18th century).
• An intricately engraved title-page vignette on the right side, representing a mythological or ancient scene.