The Works of Mr. Abraham Cowley – 1678 | Fine Leather Folio

The 1678 Works of Abraham Cowley, published in London by J.M. for Henry Herringman, is a folio-format edition containing the first part of Cowley’s collected writings. This volume includes The Mistress, a group of lyric poems; Pindarique Odes in imitation of Pindar; the incomplete religious poem Davideis; a prose discourse on Oliver Cromwell’s government; and several additional essays and poems. The engraved portrait of Cowley appears before the main text. This is a complete Part I only, rebound in modern full leather.

The book is printed in double-column layout using Roman and italic type. Signatures and catchwords are present throughout. The portrait frontispiece shows Cowley in bust view, facing left. No printer or artist is identified on the plate.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The works of Mr. Abraham Cowley: consisting of those which were formerly printed and those which were design’d for the press
• Author(s): Abraham Cowley
• Publisher: London: Printed by J.M. for Henry Herringman
• Edition: Fifth edition, 1678 (Part I only)
• Format: Folio
• Binding: Modern full leather
• Size: ~ 12 in × 8 in (30 cm × 20.5 cm)
• Collation: [42], 41, [1]; 80; [4], 70; 154; 23, [1]; 148
• Illustrations: One engraved portrait frontispiece of Cowley
• Contents Include:
  • The Mistress
  • Pindarique Odes
  • Davideis
  • Miscellanies
  • Discourse concerning the Government of Oliver Cromwell
  • Additional Essays and Poems

Condition:

Bound in recent full calf with raised bands to spine and a gilt red morocco label. The binding is firm with minor rubbing. Endpapers have been replaced. The text is complete for Part I, collated against known signatures. Pages show expected toning for the period, with scattered foxing. The engraved portrait is intact. Margins remain ample throughout. No signs of loss or trimming into text. No writing or bookplates present.

Why Collect This?

• 1678 folio issue of Cowley’s collected writings, Part I only
• Contains Cowley’s Mistress, Davideis, and Cromwell discourse
• Engraved frontispiece portrait included
• Rebound in clean, modern leather binding
• Suitable for collectors of 17th-century English literature or early folio poetry