FRAGMENTA AUREA A Collection of all the Incomparable Peices.(sic).. with THE LAST REMAINS (1659) with LETTERS TO SEVERAL PERSONS OF HONOR (1659) with THE SAD ONE A Tragedy (1659)

London: Humphrey Mosely (for all titles), 1658. 3rd Ed. . dark leather rebacked w. light. VG-. 11.5 Cms x 17 Cms. Main title continues: "written by Sir John Suckling and Published by a Friend to perpetuate his Memory The Third Edition, with some New Additionals", this being followed by 'To the Reader' to (p.5), the second continues: "Being a Full Collection of his Poems and Letters which have so long been expected and never till now Published with Licence and Approbation of his Noble and Dearest Friends", the third and fourth complete as given, 190 pp., 37 pp., 19 pp., (4)+41. Additional t.p.s for parts of Fragmenta Aurea: Poems, &c Written by Sir John Suckling. Printed by his own Copy. The Lyrick Poems were set in Musick by Mr Henry Laws, Gent. of the Kings Chappel, and one of hHis Majesties Private Musick (pp.7-56). Letters to divers eminent Personages' (pp.58-112); An Account of Religion by Reason.A Discourse upon the Occasion presented to the Earl of Dorset (pp.113-135); Aglaura. Presented at the Private-House in Black Fryers By His Majesties Servants (t.p.+(4)+65+ 2nd t.p but subtitled 'Represnted at Court By His Majestes Servants, but continuous pagination to 72; The Goblins. A Comedy Presented at the Private-House in Black-Fryers by His Majesties Servants (t.p. but included in pagination to 134; Brennoralt. A Tragedy Presented at the Private-House in Black Fryers by His Majesties Servants (t.p. but pagination continues to 190 (all these t.p.s dated 1658 but first published earlier). Condition: a few nice engraved headpieces, t.p. motifs etc., lacks frontispiece, main t.p.lightly tanned and edge-tanning (sometimes more extensive) to c. p.118 then to varying degrees throughout, neat corner repairs to leave 9/10, 11/12; front pastedown has elaborate heraldic plate of Mr Eusebius Wither (but no motto!) beneath small name label 'Samuel Lovegrove (19th or early 20th cent. I think) two further very early names to t.p., but small, 5 early, illegible ink inscrips. (one says 'mom' though) to verso of Brennoralt t.p. and facing cast list 'The Actors' (2 appear to have word 'Rose' but suspect they were by a child, and similar verso first two t.p.s; top edge of text-block slightly closely trimmed, not affecting text but tips of a few page numbers shaved and a close call to others. Probably original leather covers clean but very textured by age with some edge-darkening, new (probably late 20th cent.) light leather spine, quite unworn, a few dark smudges to bottom panel, earlier gilt-on-red title label laid on. While contents are included in most listed copies I cannot find the short 'Letters to Several Persons of Honor' listed, or even yielding a Google hit. Despite the numerous faults I have identified this remains a clean and solid copy of this scarce work. Suckling, one of the 'Cavalier poets', died in Paris in 1641 at 32 after a hectic military , gambling, sporting, carousing and literary career. More specific details on request. Images pending.