The Odyssey of Homer (in 5 vols.) by Homer [Alexander Pope, translator] - 1726

London: Bernard Linton, 1726. First edition. Full contemporary calf with gilt rules on the boards. Brown and green morocco spine labels, raised bands and compartments decorated in gilt. Plain end papers, text block speckled brown. Subscriber's quarto edition (leaves 267 x 210mm) collating complete including frontis portrait in volume 1, privilege leaves to all volumes, subscribers list, index and errata: [14], xxiv, 279, [1, blank]; [4], 335, [1, blank]; [4], 363, [1, blank]; [4], 319, [1, blank]; [4], 317, [11].  Joints cracked but holding (likely some careful repairs to stabilize) with some bumping and gentle shelfwear to corners and spine ends with minor loss to crown of volume I and foot of volume III. Chipping to spine labels of volumes I-II. Offsetting to pastedowns. Discreet ownership stamps to front endpapers. Long closed tear professionally repaired with no loss of text on pages 91-91 of volume IV. Internally a bright, fresh copy without reader's marks or foxing. A pleasing copy of Pope's famous translation of the Homerian epic.

"Alexander Pope was an outsider in his own society, struggling for acceptance and using his literary talents to succeed. As a Catholic, he was barred from attending English universities of from taking positions reserved for men of his own class, such as naval or military commissions. The publication of Pope's translations of the Iliad and the Odyssey was a carefully planned enterprise that ultimately provided him with financial independence for the rest of his life" (University of Michigan). By the time of The Odyssey's release, Pope had proven to be a successful translator; and "contrary to the marginal role authors usually had in the publishing process, Pope made important decisions regarding page layout and the selection of typefaces" (University of Michigan). In this sense, it was more than a financial success and assisted in providing Pope with professional authority and a literary reputation.

ESTC T67135.