Epigrammatum. Editio Postrema, Correctissima, & Posthumis Quibusdam Adaucta
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In the Latin and English languages. By John Owen
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Most famous work of a Welsh poet John Owen, 1668 edition.
Because of his perfect mastery of the Latin language, his epigrams earned him an enduring reputation as the “British Martial”, after the Roman poet Marcus Valerius Martialis, the author of 12 Books of Epigrams, and considered to be the Creator of the modern Epigram.
Owen’s epigrams are characterized by humor, felicity, wit, and point. He frequently alters lines of predecessors to his own purpose.
Being an ardent protestant, Owen could not refrain from the liberty of joking with the Roman Catholic Church, which resulted in his books being posthumously placed on the Index of forbidden books in 1654. More serious for Owen himself was, that his wealthy Roman Catholic uncle, Sir William Morris, was so angered by some of Owen’s recusant epigrams, that he “dashed his name out of his last will”.
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Wroclaw, Felgibelli, 1668.
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Pp.: [2] Bl., 191 S., 124 S., [1]
Size: 26 x 19 cm
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Binding: Full calf with gilt-stamped spine cover. Spine extremes slightly damaged, bumped edges. Decorative endpapers, slightly stained.
Condition: An engraved title page with frontispiece stained and slightly damaged, some stains and paper browning due to aging and usage.
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For item condition and details see the scans. For any additional questions feel free to contact us, we are eager to respond to all of your questions!
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