Spenser, Edmund. THE FAERIE QUEENE, DISPOSED INTO XII. BOOKES. London: by H. L. for Mathew Lownes, 1609. Folio, 10.5" x 7". [2], 363, [1] pp. (final blank wanting, leaves Bb2 and Bb5 supplied from a shorter copy.) Bound in late 19th or early 20th c. half morocco over cloth. *********** FIRST FOLIO EDITION OF SPENSER'S CLASSIC ENGLISH EPIC POEM, and the first edition to include the Two Cantos of Mutabilitie. This edition did not sell particularly well which resulted in the sheets from this edition being used two years later in an edition of Spenser's collected works. The present copy bears an early signature of "Sandys," possibly Sir Edwin Sandys (1561-1629, one of the founders of Virginia Company of London, founded the colony at Jamestown.)

Binding rubbed and scuffed, worn but intact. Around two dozen leaves with some faded water-staining, a few ink-stains, some occasional light foxing and soiling, title dust-soiled and with small chip to upper margin, colophon likewise dust-soiled and with some early ink scribbles.