Poems by Mr. Gray
By Thomas Gray.
Published by J. Dodsley, London, in 1768.
First edition, first printing, of Thomas Gray's first collected poems. Title page dated 1768. Includes the scarce half-title page. 120 text pages followed by single "Contents" page with 10 titles listed. Three original blank pages precede and one original blank page follows the text.
19th-century signed fine binding by "Riviere & Son" in light-tan full calf. Spine ornately decorated in gilt with five raised bands and brown leather title label lettered in gilt. Triple-ruled gilt bordering on both covers. Ornately decorated gilt borders on inside covers. All page edges gilt-covered. Bluish-green endpapers.
In VERY GOOD + condition.
Spine remains very bright and unworn. Light wear to the edges and minor touches of wear to the front cover. Tightly bound and square with no cracking. Light crease at the top corner of the front blank pages and small faint writing in pencil on the first text page. Otherwise flawless interior. Pages are bright and clean with no foxing or browning. No previous owner signature or bookplate.
Contents:
Ode on the Spring
Ode on the Death of a Favourite Cat
Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College
Hymn to Adversity
The Progress of Poesy. A Pindaric Ode
The Bard. A Pindaric Ode
The Fatal Sisters. An Ode
The Descent of Odin. An Ode
The Triumphs of Owen. A Fragment
Elegy written in a Country Church-Yard
About the author from Wikipedia:
"Thomas Gray (26 December 1716 – 30 July 1771) was an English poet, letter-writer, classical scholar, and professor at Pembroke College, Cambridge. He is widely known for his Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard, published in 1751.
"Gray was a self-critical writer who published only 13 poems in his lifetime, despite being very popular. He was even offered the position of Poet Laureate in 1757, though he declined.
. . .
"Gray spent most of his life as a scholar in Cambridge, and only later in his life did he begin travelling again. Although he was one of the least productive poets (his collected works published during his lifetime amount to fewer than 1,000 lines), he is regarded as the foremost English-language poet of the mid-18th century. In 1757, he was offered the post of Poet Laureate, which he refused. Gray was so self-critical and fearful of failure that he published only thirteen poems during his lifetime. He once wrote that he feared his collected works would be 'mistaken for the works of a flea.'"
Shipping:
Shipping within
the U.S. by your choice of USPS Media Mail, Priority Mail, or Priority
Mail Express. International shipping by First Class International,
Priority Mail International, or Priority Express International.
Shipping
will be combined and cost adjusted on multiple items. All books are
carefully packed with appropriate protection according to size and
weight. Large and medium-size books are always bubble-wrapped and mailed
in boxes. Small books are either shipped the same way or wrapped in
cardboard inside of padded envelopes.
Terms:
If you are not completely
satisfied with the book, you may return it for a complete refund, minus
the return shipping cost. The book must be returned in the same condition as it
was when originally sent.
Feedback:
It is the policy
of Odysseus Books to leave feedback for the buyer only after the buyer
first leaves feedback after receiving the book.