[Literature] Milton, John. Paradise Lost

London: Septimus Prowett, 1825-26. In 12 original parts. Imperial quarto issue, 15 x 11 in. (381 x 279 mm). Illustrated with 24 mezzotint plates (two in each part), each with tissue guard, by John Martin. Original and rare quarter leather over stiff printed blue-grey wrappers; Part I rebacked to style, small loss in top corner of same (as well front blank); scattered light to moderate wear and rubbing along spines (losses and chipping to same of Part III); scattered soiling to wrappers; creasing and short closed tears along extremities of each volume; closed tear in top edge of front wrapper, Part XI; four-inch closed tear on rear wrapper, Part XII; text partially unopened; scattered spotting and foxing to text and plates; two small puncture holes in top edge of plates in Part XI; title-page and dedication supplied in Part XII; in red cloth fall-down-back box, book-plate of Robert H. & Donna L. Jackson on inner front board of same. Wees & Campbell, Nos. 26-49; Ray 69

Rare and complete in original 12 parts, with all 24 of John Martin's magnificent mezzotints, considered "one of the great publishing enterprises of the age" (Ray). Published between 1825-27, each of the twelve parts appeared every few months, each containing one twelfth of the text and two plates. Martin's illustrations were the first of Milton's work to appear in mezzotint, and were unique compared to his predecessors, whereas they "minimized the context and filled the image with large, dramatic figures, Martin exaggerated the setting by creating great vistas and vast stretches of architecture..." (Wees & Campbell). The dramatic painterly quality and rich tonality of Martin's prints greatly elevated the medium of mezzotint, and were met with critical acclaim upon their publication, with one contemporary reviewer writing, "we know of no artist, whose genius so perfectly fitted him to be the illustrator of the mighty Milton...there is a wildness, a grandeur, and a mystery about his designs which are indescribably fine...the wonders of that Heaven and Hell which existed before earth was made, are magnificently embodied..." (Wees & Campbell).

According to RBH, this is the only complete set in parts and original wrappers to come to auction since 1995.

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

Provenance

From the collection of Justin G. Schiller

To request further details about this lot, please email [email protected]

Darren Winston

SVP, Head of Department, Books and Manuscripts, Philadelphia

[email protected]267.414.1247

Darren Winston, Senior Vice President at Freeman’s, has served as Head of Department for Books & Manuscripts, Philadelphia, since 2018. He has been a trustee of the Rosenbach Museum and Library since 2022, is a member of The Manuscript Society, The Bibliographical Society of America, and Philadelphia’s Philobiblon Club.

Raised in northern New Jersey, Darren moved to New York City in 1988 and began his career there as a bookseller in 1995. He spent the next 18 years selling to private clients and at East Coast book fairs. In 2003 he moved with his young family to Sharon, Connecticut where, in 2009, he opened his own bookshop. Darren Winston, Bookseller offered rare and vintage books, prints, fine art, and more, and hosted over 50 book signings and art shows. He was a trustee and, later, Board President, of the Sharon Historical Society, and for six years a trustee of Indian Mountain School in Lakeville, Connecticut.

Darren has hosted the radio program "Darren Winston's Book Report" for NPR-affiliate WHDD since 2009, appeared in the 2014 book-themed documentary The Paper Trail, and in 2024 he joined Antiques Roadshow as a books and manuscripts appraiser. From 1999 to 2005, Darren was the buyer and consultant to the Fine and Rare Books Department at Asprey, the British luxury goods company, at its New York headquarters. While there he spearheaded various in-store events including readings by Salman Rushdie and Dominick Dunne.

In 1993, Darren was hired as a Creative Consultant to Columbia Records, where he assisted in the repackaging of their 12-record Aerosmith back catalogue. He later sold his extensive collection of Aerosmith memorabilia, which he began amassing at the age of 14, directly to the band.

Darren now lives on the Main Line, outside Philadelphia, with his wife, two children, and dog. The family travels frequently to his wife's native England and Scotland. When not bookselling, he plays guitar in Pumped, an Aerosmith tribute band. Darren also appears on the top-rated PBS television program Antiques Roadshow.

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[Literature] Milton, John. Paradise Lost

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