PBA Galleries

23 pp. (8vo) 22.2x14.4 cm (8¾x5¾"), unbound, sewn.

Very unusual and rare author's offprint of Herschel's translation of Homer, a presentation copy inscribed by the translator to his daughter, on the title (i.e. outer) page, Marie S. Herschel, Her book, May she leave(?) ____(?) therein to look!!, &c &c &c, Lelah! (?), J.F.W.H." John Frederick William Herschel (1792-1871), son of the astronomer William Herschel, was himself a noted astronomer, as well as mathematician, chemist, experimental photographer, and polymath with accomplishments in many fields, as indicated by his delving into the translation of the cornerstone of Greek literature. OCLC/WorldCat lists only one copy of this translation of Book II (at Cambridge University), and two copies of Book I (at Cambridge and the University of London). The descriptions of the latter note "Reprinted from the Cornhill Magazine for May, 1862." In the present example, Herschel's name appears at the bottom of p.23, along with "Collingwood, Sept. 11, 1862" and "Printed by Smith, Elder, and Co." Old London postmark inkstamp on blank p.[24].