MILTON, John (1608-1674). Paradise Lost in Ten Books. London: Printed, and are to be sold by Peter Parker under Creed Church neer Aldgate; And by Robert Boulter at the Turks Head in Bishopsgate-street; and Matthias Walker, under St. Dunstons Church in Fleet Street, 1668.

First edition of “one of the greatest works of the human imagination,” with Amory's rare first issue of the title (ODNB). This is the state with a period after "BOOKS." Milton is still unsurpassed as the greatest writer of English epic. The poem declares up front its aim to "justify the ways of God to man," but explores themes both universal and personal—with Satan's fascism, the surreal eroticism of the angels and the unknowable world of God, and Milton’s engagement with the science of his time continuing to captivate readers centuries later. Milton, who visited Galileo in Italy in 1638, was the first author to use the word "space" in our modern sense "outer space" and his cosmic epic takes place in an assuredly Copernican universe. Hugh Amory, "Things Unattempted Yet: A bibliography of the first edition of Paradise lost," in: The Book Collector, Spring 1983, issue 1a; Wing M-2138.

Quarto (183 x 136mm). Ruled (title restored at inner margin, other small largely marginal restorations throughout occasional touching printed rule; toned). 19th-century olive morocco gilt by Riviere, gilt lozenge at center of boards (spine sunned, joints a little tender). Provenance: unidentified bookplate covered over by bookplate of A. Williams.