Paradise Lost and Paradise Regain'd by John Milton - 1758

Birmingham: J and R Tonson; Baskerville, 1758. First edition. Leather. Good Only. 9" by 6". None. The first Baskerville edition of John Milton's epic blank verse poems, 'Paradise Lost' and 'Paradise Regain'd'. To Paradise Regain'd there is also Milton's closet drama 'Samson Agonistes' and his 'Poems Upon Several Occasions' . With a life of Milton to the preface of Paradise Regain'd and an introductory preface by Baskerville to Paradise Lost.The front board to volume I is detached but present. Both of these volumes are printed by John Baskerville for J and R Tonson. They are some of the earliest books to be printed in Baskerville's innovative transitional typeface. Both Paradise Lost and Paradise Regain'd are arguably some of John Milton's best poetical works with Paradise Lost being regarded as Milton's major work. Both are written in blank verse and relate to Christian history. Paradise Lost concerns the Biblical story of the Fall of Man, the temptation of Adam and Eve by the fallen angel Satan and their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. It consists of ten books and over one thousand lines of verse. Paradise Regain'd shares similar theological themes to Paradise Lost and deals with the temptation of Christ as recounted in the Gospel of Luke. One major concept of Paradise Regain'd is the idea of reversals due to Milton's aim to reverse the 'loss' of Paradise. Frequently, antonyms are often found next to each other, reinforcing the idea that everything that was lost in the first epic will be regained by the end of this brief, four book, epic.A beautifully printed edition of this important work. In uniform full calf bindings. With gilt detailing to the boards and spine. Split to the spine of volume II not affecting the binding. Repairs to the spine and joints of volume II. Front board to volume II is detached but present. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright. Occasional light spots to pages. Good Only