Item #7572 Elements of Criticism, Volume I [William Safire copy]. Henry Home, Lord Kames.
Elements of Criticism, Volume I [William Safire copy]
Elements of Criticism, Volume I [William Safire copy]

Elements of Criticism, Volume I [William Safire copy]

Edinburgh: A. Millar, London; and A. Kincaid & J. Bell, Edinburgh, 1765. Very Good -. Item #7572

Edinburgh: A. Millar, London; and A. Kincaid & J. Bell, Edinburgh, 1765. Third Edition. Volume One only of two volume set. Octavo; xvi, 500pp. Full contemporary calf with five raised bands and red leather label to spine. Ruled and lettered in gilt. Bookplate of author and presidential speech writer William Safire to front pastedown.

Boards are chipped with some loss at spine ends; bumped at corners and rubbed along edges, with wear along joints some general scuffing and soiling to surface. Hinges cracked but holding. Dampstain to various pages throughout at bottom edge and up along gutter, encroaching into text occasionally. Pages otherwise toned with mild to moderate foxing. Inscription on half title: "This Book belongs to the Proprietary Libary in Columbia [?], Price 6/__" with date August 25 1824 in another hand. Text legible throughout.

Home, a central figure of the Scottish Enlightenment, originally published Elements in Criticism in three volumes in 1762, and it quickly became one his more popular works. Of the work, Samuel Johnson said, "The Scotchman has taken the right method in his 'Elements of Criticism.' I do not mean that he has taught us any thing; but he has told us old things in a new way."

Price: $200.00