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LOT 5050

Young, Night Thoughts Life Death Immortality, 1765

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"The Complaint: or Night-Thoughts on Life, Death, and Immortality, to which is added, A Paraphrase on Part of the Book of Job", by Edward Young. A New Edition, Corrected by the Author. Published by A. Millar, in the Strand, London, M.DCC.LXV. [1765].

Hard boards, original leather boards, velum spine [wear, leather creases between boards and spine, multiply hinge repairs with patches of vellum on leather, the boards are attached]; 4" x 6.1/2"; greenish endpapers, 315 pages including Notes + 4-page list of books published and sold by Miller; some wear and soiling, one page is stained by the dried plant [see photo]; good condition.

"Night-Thoughts" had a high reputation for many years after its publication, and was very popular in the second half of the eighteenth century. In his 1791 book, "Life of Samuel Johnson," James Boswell called Night-Thoughts "the grandest and richest poetry that human genius has ever produced". In 1797, it was illustrated by William Blake. A lesser-known set of illustrations was created by Thomas Stothard in 1799.

The poem is written in blank verse. It describes the poet's musings on death over a series of nine "nights" in which he ponders the loss of his wife and friends, and laments human frailties. The best-known line in the poem (at the end of "Night I") is the adage "procrastination is the thief of time", which is part of a passage in which the poet discusses how quickly life and opportunities can slip away.

The nine nights are each a poem of their own. They are:

"Life, Death, and Immortality" (dedicated to Arthur Onslow);
"Time, Death, Friendship" (dedicated to Spencer Compton);
"Narcissa" (dedicated to Margaret Bentinck);
"The Christian Triumph" (dedicated to Philip Yorke);
"The Relapse" (dedicated to George Lee);
"The Infidel Reclaim'd" (in two parts)
"Glories and Riches" and "The Nature, Proof, and Importance of Immortality"; dedicated to Henry Pelham);
"Virtue's Apology; or, The Man of the World Answered" (with no dedication);
"The Consolation" (dedicated to Thomas Pelham-Holles).

Note:
Country restrictions (corona) may apply - the lesser expansive Priority shipping may not be available to all countries.

US: Priority (c.2-4 days) -------- ---- $18.50
Canada: Priority (c.2-8 weeks) ------- $29.50
World: Priority (c.2-10 weeks) ------- $40.50

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Time, Location
11 Feb 2022
USA, Petersburg, VA
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[ translate ]

"The Complaint: or Night-Thoughts on Life, Death, and Immortality, to which is added, A Paraphrase on Part of the Book of Job", by Edward Young. A New Edition, Corrected by the Author. Published by A. Millar, in the Strand, London, M.DCC.LXV. [1765].

Hard boards, original leather boards, velum spine [wear, leather creases between boards and spine, multiply hinge repairs with patches of vellum on leather, the boards are attached]; 4" x 6.1/2"; greenish endpapers, 315 pages including Notes + 4-page list of books published and sold by Miller; some wear and soiling, one page is stained by the dried plant [see photo]; good condition.

"Night-Thoughts" had a high reputation for many years after its publication, and was very popular in the second half of the eighteenth century. In his 1791 book, "Life of Samuel Johnson," James Boswell called Night-Thoughts "the grandest and richest poetry that human genius has ever produced". In 1797, it was illustrated by William Blake. A lesser-known set of illustrations was created by Thomas Stothard in 1799.

The poem is written in blank verse. It describes the poet's musings on death over a series of nine "nights" in which he ponders the loss of his wife and friends, and laments human frailties. The best-known line in the poem (at the end of "Night I") is the adage "procrastination is the thief of time", which is part of a passage in which the poet discusses how quickly life and opportunities can slip away.

The nine nights are each a poem of their own. They are:

"Life, Death, and Immortality" (dedicated to Arthur Onslow);
"Time, Death, Friendship" (dedicated to Spencer Compton);
"Narcissa" (dedicated to Margaret Bentinck);
"The Christian Triumph" (dedicated to Philip Yorke);
"The Relapse" (dedicated to George Lee);
"The Infidel Reclaim'd" (in two parts)
"Glories and Riches" and "The Nature, Proof, and Importance of Immortality"; dedicated to Henry Pelham);
"Virtue's Apology; or, The Man of the World Answered" (with no dedication);
"The Consolation" (dedicated to Thomas Pelham-Holles).

Note:
Country restrictions (corona) may apply - the lesser expansive Priority shipping may not be available to all countries.

US: Priority (c.2-4 days) -------- ---- $18.50
Canada: Priority (c.2-8 weeks) ------- $29.50
World: Priority (c.2-10 weeks) ------- $40.50

[ translate ]
Estimate
Unlock
Time, Location
11 Feb 2022
USA, Petersburg, VA
Auction House
Unlock
View it on