John Milton, 1649 and 1651

MILTON, John (1608-1674). Eikonoklastes [in Greek]. London: Matthew Simmons, 1649 [Bound with:] Pro populo Anglicano defensio contra Claudii Anonymi. London: Dugard, 1651.

First editions of two important political works by Milton—defending regicide. The first work here, the Eikonoklastes, was written in reply to a schmaltzy fake prison diary of Charles I entitled Eikon basilike, which appeared ten days after the king's execution and saw fifty editions in various languages within a year. This alarmed the council of state, who initially asked John Selden to respond; when he refused, they turned to Milton. Pforzhimer notes that, after the Restoration, Eikonoklastes was ordered "to be burned by the common hangman ... Copies of this first edition are uncommon and are lacking in several notable Milton collections." The second work here is Milton's further response to critics of the Eikonoklastes. It was republished several times with a false imprint on the continent, leading to some bibliographic confusion. I: Pforzheimer 709; Wing M-2112; II: Shawcross 100; Wing M-2166; see Pforzheimer 725 (which discusses a continental reprint thought to be the first, with reference to this actual first edition).

Two works in one, quarto (181 x 131mm). First title printed in red and black. Second title with engraved vignette, followed by 13-line errata. (Last leaf of first work soiled, a few spots and stains throughout.) 19th-century calf (joints tender). Provenance: Augustus Frederick, Prince, Duke of Sussex, 1773-1843 (armorial bookplate on pastedown [erroneously identified in a later hand as belonging to the Duke of Buckingham]) – blindstamp of Christ's College, Cambridge, on flyleaves and title.