The Fairy Queen

London: Printed for J. and R. Tonson in the Strand, 1758. Later edition. Hardcover. Very Good. 2 vol. 8vo. [5], vi-xxxviii, [2], 1-527, [1]; [2], 3-496 pp. Contemporary full calf with the spines in six compartments, compartments ruled in gilt with recent green morocco labels lettered in gilt on each spine; all edges sprinkled. Each volume illustrated with a frontispiece, volume one with four plates, volume two with three plates. The volumes also have one in-text illustration and a few engraved tailpieces. With a glossary, explaining the old and obscure words. Carpenter 116. Lowndes 2477. Oxford DNB, "Spenser, Edmund (1552?-1599)". According to Lowndes this is the first Tonson edition of Spenser's epic poem. Carpenter states this edition is based on that of Hughes. Includes a biography of Edmund Spenser. An attractive edition of Spenser's poem, concerned with knights, dragons, queens, noble ladies, Greek gods and goddesses, and warriors. The poem itself was dedicated to Queen Elisabeth I (with whom Spenser had an audience before the publication of his poem in 1590), to Sir Walter Raleigh, and to numerous other noble English people of the late sixteenth century. Spenser's poetic style was revolutionary to English literature: it combined classical and native English themes, motifs, and stories. Chaucer, and Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics were hugely influential to Spenser's work. The poem centers around six knights and their quests, with each knight representative of a specific virtue. A work central to English literature. Each front joint discreetly strengthened, the crown and foot of each spine worn away; a small contemporary name on each title page.