Merrymount Press] THE POETICAL WORKS OF JOHN MILTON, with a Life of the Author and Illustrations (4 Volumes, Complete) by Milton, John | decorations by W. A. Dwiggins; plates after John Flaxman - 1908

Boston: printed by D. B. Updike at the Merrymount Press for R. H. Hinkley Company, 1908. Full Leather. Near Fine binding. Octavo. Volume I: [viii], 284, [2]; II: [viii], 251, [3]; III: [viii], 274, [2]; IV: xiv, 247, [3] pp., plates, Limited edition, number 4 of 555 copies. Full bound in publisher's deluxe full pigskin deeply stamped in blind with an elaborate border; top edge gilt, bottom and fore-edge left deckled. This is a bright copy with very little wear; spine are only a trifle sunned; offsetting to the perimeters of the endpapers and a few adjacent leaves from the leather turn-ins; otherwise clean. A remarkable set with 16 plates adapted from illustrations by John Flaxman and printed in sepia. In his exhibition catalog commemorating the centennial of the founding of the press, Hutner remarks, "The use of Montjoye type is particularly effective here, and the impression on the specially handmade paper is crisp and satisfying. The introductory texts to Milton's English and Latin verse are both invitingly readable." The publishers Arts and Crafts style binding is a particular show-stopper, an uncommon edition in exceptional condition. This copy bears the armorial bookplate, Robert Scoville | Herbert Scoville on the front pastedown of each volume. Hutner 47; Smith 319.