Lot 106•
COWPER (WILLIAM, translator) HOMER. The Iliad and Odyssey... Translated into English Blank Verse, by W. Cowper, 2 vol., COWPER'S OWN COPY, J. Johnson, 1791
Ending from 19 November 2025, 12:00 GMT
Online, London, Knightsbridge£1,500 - £2,000
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COWPER (WILLIAM, translator)
HOMER. The Iliad and Odyssey... Translated into English Blank Verse, by W. Cowper, 2 vol., COWPER'S OWN COPY, signed ("W. Cowper 1797") on title-page of volume 1, and dedication leaf of volume 2, and a full-page of pencil notes/corrections in his hand on the free endpaper at end of volume 1, contemporary calf gilt, the sides with a wide border of two Greek-pattern gilt rolls and black-stamped repeat Greek plant pattern with central panel in tree calf, g.e., rebacked preserving most of original decorative spines, rubbed, small folio (295 x 222mm.), J. Johnson, 1791
Footnotes
WILLIAM COWPER'S OWN COPY OF THE FIRST EDITION OF HIS ENGLISH VERSE TRANSLATIONS OF HOMER'S WORKS, later in the possession of the writer (and subscriber) John Johnson, to whom Cowper "was deeply indebted... for the care he took of him during the latter years of his life (ODNB). Cowper had started work on his translation in 1784, having always "found Pope's Homer false to the original" (ODNB), and it was published in 1791. Johnson managed a financial agreement "which netted the poet £1000. Cowper declared himself satisfied... Reviews were mixed" (ODNB).
Provenance: William Cowper, ownership inscriptions and bookplate; John Johnson (1769-1833, writer and close friend of Cowper), with 7-line note by his widow Maria gifting the book a month after John's death on the front free endpaper of volume 1, "A tribute of gratitude... from the widow of Johnny of Norfolk [Cowper's affectionate name for Johnson], endear'd kinsman of Cowper, to her esteemed and valued friend George Samuel Kett, Yaxham Rectory [where Cowper died], October 10th 1833"; Wyrley Birch; Viscount Birkenhead, bookplates.