Signed book: A Commentary Upon the Whole Booke of Judges. Preached First and Delivered in Sundrie Lectures. London: Imprinted by Felix Kyngston for Thomas Mann, 1615. Contemporary replacement hardcover, 7.25 x 11, 970 pages. Signed in ink on the title page, “Liber Johannis Swift non est mortale quod opto 1698” [translated: What I desire is not mortal]. Book also bears a presentation inscription on the second free end page, preceding the title page, “S. R. Mason. Presented by Dr. A. C. Webber January 1856. Cambridge, Mass.” Autographic condition: very good, with scattered moderate toning and foxing to signed page, not affecting the crispness or legibility of the signature, and a few ink notations. Book condition: G+/None. Half-bound in brown leather and marbled paper, with gilt titles and five raised bands on spine; edges heavily worn, with boards exposed in several places; exterior heavily rubbed and scuffed (with harsher scuffs to two of the raised bands); front cover has been neatly reattached; foxing and mild soiling throughout. Despite its exterior cosmetic flaws and repaired hinge, the book is exceptionally nice considering its age. In a beautiful custom-made green leather and cloth slipcase, in NF condition with minor soiling.
For his part, the famed Puritan writer Jonathan Swift was both a historian who recorded the trials and tribulations of the 17th century, and a type of soothsayer who looked forward to comment on the problems that plague the 20th century. His various works, including Gulliver’s Travels, satirized Puritanism, but his works also focused on the centuries old problem of alienation. An ordained Anglican priest, Swift was known to fervently defend the Church of Ireland, while his works would later attack not only Puritans, but any religion he felt was in decline or led by men participating in ‘evil’ practices. To think—this copy of A Commentary Upon the Whole Booke of Judges was once part of Swift’s personal library, likely used as inspiration, or perhaps as a target of satire, by one the greatest writers of the Enlightenment Movement. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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