HOMER ILIAD 1ST COMPLETE EDITION 1611 EXTREMELY RARE Start Price GBP 1,195.00 Current Price GBP 1,195.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Tuesday, August 26, 2008 End Time Tuesday, September 02, 2008 Location London, London See more about ' HOMER ILIAD 1ST COMPLETE EDITION 1611 EXTREMELY RARE' Description [THE ILIADS OF HOMER PRINCE OF POETS NEVER BEFORE IN ANY LANGUAGE TRUELY TRANSLATED. WITH A COMENT UPPON SOME OF HIS CHIEFE PLACES; DONNE ACCORDING TO THE GREEKE BY GEO: CHAPMAN. London, for Nathaniell Butter, [?1611]. Small folio [size: 180 x 270 mm]. Pagination: [14], 341, [1], [8], paste-down endpapers from an early English black-letter Bible.  Bound in contemporary thick hide calf, sides ruled in blind, spine decorated and ruled in blind. CONDITION: Binding is rubbed, and spine is insect damaged with loss of leather to top and bottom, and a few other small holes, at an early period spine laid down on cloth gauze to create a hollowback binding; binding is still sound and intact, and a good binder/restorer could repair it. Internally lacking the following leaves: 1. Engraved title page. 2. 'verses to the Reader' [2 preliminary leaves] 3. last leaf of sonnets at the end. 4. First and last blank leaves. Otherwise all leaves are present, including Chapman's prose preface 'To the Reader', and the main text of the Iliad. First leaf present [dedication leaf] a bit soiled, with a few mall insect holes; lasst few leaves lightly waterstained, a few quite minor faults, but otherwise quite clean and crisp throughout, and with the text quite tight in binding. FIRST COMPLETE EDITION OF HOMER'S ILIAD IN ENGLISH, TRANSLATED BY GEORGE CHAPMAN, and believed to have been published in 1611, though the engraved title page [missing in his copy] is not dated. Chapman commenced publication of the Iliad in 1598 with publication of the first two books only; these were reprinted with a further translation of the next ten books published in about 1609 [again undated on the title]. Chapman was at last able to publish the finished fruits of his labour in this edition of probably 1611, which comprises the complete work in 24 books, appearing complete in English for the first time. Chapman tells us in his preface that for this complete edition he has revised the first two books of 1598, but through shortage of time has reprinted the following ten from the previous edition; the final 12 books appear for the first time. He has also included in this edition a new dedication to the Prince of Wales, and a group of dedicatory sonnets at the end, including one to the Earl of Southampton; the last 3 of this group are missing from this copy, as is the verse preface 'to the reader' and the errata leaf, as well as the title mentioned above. The importance of this publication in the history of English literature can scarcely be underestimated; Chapman used Homer's verse as a means of conveying political message, and this sense of political purpose was stregthened in this final version. Like most copie of the book, this one is incomplete, but with the whole poetical text of the main work in good crissp condition, it must be regarded as a highly desirable book. There is only 1 other copy for sale on the internet (complete) and this is being advertised at over £11,000. This is a wonderful opportunity to purchase a copy at a  price that is relatively affordable. Secure Courier delivery 2-3 days worldwide = 15GBP UK Special delivery = No charge. I accept payment by all major credit/debit cards (AMEX, VISA, MAESTRO, MASTERCARD) processed by 'J & S Wilbraham’ Antiquarian Booksellers. USD are converted to GBP at the current ebay exchange rate. We will always try and round the transaction down in the favour of the purchaser. Payment by paypal Overseas personal cheques accepted but maybe subject to bank charges which we pass on to our customers at the actual rate. I ship worldwide and charge shipping at cost with no hidden extras. Please bid with confidence and check my other auctions for more interesting books, unusual fine and rare bindings. Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions Place a Bid!