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Author: [Prior, Matthew]
Title: Poems on Several Occasions
Place Published: London
Publisher:Jacob Tonson
Date Published: 1817
Description:

[xl], 506, [6] pp. List of subscribers present. Engraved frontispiece, vignette title page, head- and tail-pieces. (Folio) 45.8x28.5 cm (18x11¼"), period full speckled calf, raised bands, gilt-lettered morocco spine label, gilt-decorated compartments. First collected edition, a large paper copy. 

A large-paper copy of one of the greatest 18th-century books of English poetry. Among the most important English poets of the early 18th century, Matthew Prior (1664-1721) was also a diplomat whose actions at the behest of the English people were pivotal in bringing about the Peace of Utrecht. In the case of the present volume, this historical fact takes on special significance, as “during the latter part of June 1711 Robert Harley, now earl of Oxford and lord treasurer, asked that Prior be sent to France along with Abbé François Gaultier, the French priest who was serving similarly as a secret negotiator for the opposite side…where Prior entered into negotiations with Jean Baptiste Colbert, marquis de Torcy, his friendly acquaintance from his previous mission in Paris over a decade before” (DNB). Wise, Ashley Library, 5238. Ebert 17934. Foxon 6641.

Corners exposed, wear to joints and hinges, light faint marks on covers, one spine compartment lacking; a few worm holes to fore edge of first 7 leaves, then one tiny worm hole to 12 or so leaves after that (not affecting text, only small bit of far left edge of frontispiece); very good.