THE LIVES OF DR. JOHN DONNE, SIR HENRY WOTTON, MR. RICHARD HOOKER, MR. GEORGE HERBERT

London: printed by Tho. Roycroft for Richard Marriot sold by most booksellers, 1675. Fourth Edition. Hardcover. Octavo; [16], 84, [4], 85-150, [4], 151-254, [4], 255-347, [1] pages; VG-; Bound in full brown calf; several repairs to binding, primarily to spine and edges of boards; some chipping, rubbing, and shelf wear at spine and edges of boards. The words "Dr. John ... George Herbert." are bracketed together on title page. The lives of Wotton, Hooker, and Herbert are each preceded by an engraved portrait. The portraits of Wotton and Hooker are signed by Dolle, and that of Herbert by White. The portrait of Donne (A1v) is signed by Lombard. "The life of Sr Henry Wotton, late provost of Eaton College", "The life of Mr. Rich. Hooker, the author of those learned books of the laws of ecclesiastical polity", "The life of Mr. George Herbert", and "Letters written by Mr. George Herbert, at his being in Cambridge: with others to his mother, the Lady Magdalen Herbert; written by John Donne, afterwards Dean of St. Pauls" each have separate dated title page; pagination and register are continuous. Although the lives of Donne, Hooker, and Herbert were each also published in separate editions, the life of Wotton appears not to have been.

The handwritten note affixed to the front free endpaper reads: "This (the 4th) edition seems to be considered as the best, having been used in revising the text of the beautiful edition published by Major in 1825. It has all the portraits. See p. 441 of the notes in Major's edition. This contains the following, which are not given in the new edition, namely
Walton's dedication to Bishop Morely
Epistle to the Reader
Verses addressed to Walton by Charles Cotton
Bp. King's letter to Walton
Verses to Walton by Woodford
Verses addressed to Walton by Woodford
Do. by Dean Duport
Seven Letters by Herbert
Three letters by Dr. Donne
Verses on Herbert's Temple
Herbert's Letter to Lady Pembroke."

Bookplate from the Skene Library affized to the inside of the front board. A previous owner's name marked out on title page. Handwritten text, including previous owners' names, on the errata page at the end of the volume and the subsequent free endpapers. Some archival repairs to text block, including added free endpapers and repairs to frontispiece. Small tear to lower margin of p. 23. Age-toning, minor water staining and soiling throughout text block.

JR Consignment; NOTE: Shelved in Room G. ESTC R34714; Wing W672.;. 1345249. Special Collections.