Paradise Lost – John Milton – 1770 | Early Illustrated Edition in Original Leather

The 1770 Paradise Lost by John Milton, issued with 13 full-page engravings, is an early illustrated edition produced in London during a period of sustained critical interest in Milton’s work. Printed for J. Beecroft, T. Strahan, and others, this edition includes a prefatory section addressing Milton’s style, classical influences, and theological structure. These early visual and textual interpretations are notable for preceding the Romantic period’s renewed focus on Miltonic themes. While artist attribution is not printed, stylistic characteristics suggest a classical influence distinct from later illustrated editions.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Paradise Lost. A Poem, in Twelve Books.
• Author(s): John Milton
• Illustrator(s): Unattributed
• Publisher: London: Printed for J. Beecroft, T. Strahan, J. Rivington, et al.
• Edition: 1770
• Format: Octavo, single volume
• Binding: Full original leather, smooth calf, raised bands
• Size: ~ 7 in × 4.5 in (17.5 cm × 11 cm)
• Collation: lxxi, [1], 319, [29] pp.
• Illustrations: 13 full-page engravings, including frontispiece
• Contents Include:
  • Prefatory critique on Milton’s life and works
  • Complete twelve-book Paradise Lost
  • Index and notes.

Condition:

Original full leather binding in smooth calf, showing typical surface wear, rubbing at joints and corners, and minor loss to spine extremities. Raised bands are present, with traces of the original gilt titling still visible. The text block remains sound, with a light speckling to edges. Internally complete, the leaves show mild toning with isolated foxing. The engraved plates retain strong impressions and are free of tearing or restoration, printed on paper of consistent weight with wide margins.

Why Collect This?

• Scarce illustrated edition printed decades before Romantic-era reissues
• Includes critical prefatory material seldom retained in abridged later editions
• Contains 13 early engravings representing pre-Romantic interpretation
• Appeals to collectors of Milton, illustrated English poetry, and early literary criticism