John Donne, 1633

DONNE, John (1573-1631). Iuvenalia: or Certaine Paradoxes and Problems. London: by Elizabeth Purslowe for Henry Seyle, 1633.

Schiff copy of the first edition of Donne's Juvenalia, "clever and entertaining trifles" from the dark prince of 17th-century English poetry (Keynes). In this copy, the license is absent from leaf H4v, which Keynes notes is common. Due to the slightly racy nature of these musings, they were only printed after his death—and even then, subject to inquiry from the Star Chamber.

Donne's thoughts on topics such as Inconstancy in Women ("Women had rather, and it is farre better and more judiciall, to enjoy all the vertues in several men, than but some of them in one"), That Old men are more fantistique than Young ("Who reades this Paradoxe but thinks me more Fantastike now, than I was yesterday?") and Why is there more variety of Greene, than other of colours (you'll have to read for yourself) are expressed with his usual wit and whimsy. Keynes 43.

Quarto (181 x 138mm). Woodcut printer's device on title and other ornaments (neatly repaired tear on title, final leaf with large mostly blank area renewed, with portion of rule in ink facsimile). 19th-century oxblood morocco gilt by Sangorski and Sutcliffe (rebacked preserving original spine panel, worn at extremities). Provenance: Mortimer Schiff (morocco book label).