Abelard and Heloise Epistolae London 1718
Abelard and Heloise. Petri Abælardi, abbatis Ruyensis et Heloissæ, abbatissæ Paracletensis epistolæ a prioris editionis erroribus purgate, & cum cod. MS. collate curâ Ricardi Rawlinson, A.M. e Coll. Div. Jo. Bapt. Oxon & R.S.S. London: impensis E. Curll, & W. Taylor, 1719. (4)vii, 279 pp. 8vo, contemporary mottled calf, gilt, spine gilt, red morocco label (rubbed, slight wear to upper joint). First edition thus. The first attempt at a scholarly edition of the celebrated love letters of Abelard and Heloise, exchanged during the first half of the twelfth century. Edited by the antiquary and topographer Richard Rawlinson, whose vast library was dispersed at auction shortly after his death in 1755; his manuscripts were bequeathed to the Bodleian, and the residue of his estate, along with some coins and medals, and his heart, went to St. John's College, Oxford. The involvement of the disreputable bookseller Edmund Curll with this work is not wholly surprising, as he and Rawlinson were on friendly terms, and had travelled around Oxfordshire together, in search of antiquities. Some foxing and light browning, otherwise a very good copy. CBEL II, 1702.
£400
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