Alexander Pope
London, England, 1746
Alexander Pope 1746 "Verses Upon the Late D____ss of M______" Suppressed Lines
Booklet

A suppressed passage from Alexander Pope's poem entitled "Of the characters of women." 5pp, measuring 7" x 11.5", London: W. Webb, 1746. Entitled "Verses Upon the Late D____ss of M______." This impression has spacing of 12mm and 10 mm between V, E, R in "Verses" at the head of page 3. With creasing, uneven edges, and minor chipping. Staining, toning, and faint foxing throughout. Very good.

Foxon lists three impressions of this piece which were priced at sixpence. These lines were not included in Pope's "Epistle II: To a Lady on the Characters of Women" until 1744 when a "deathbed" edition was published. This edition itself was suppressed and not widely released until 1748. At the time, many believed that the poem was intended to reference Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough. In later years, however, scholars have concluded that the lines was more likely represent Catherine Sheffield (formerly Darnley), Duchess of Buckingham. The use of the name "Atossa" had no relevance to Sarah Churchill, but fitted Katharine Darnley almost like a glove; the Persian princess Atosssa having been a daughter of Cyrus the Great and a sister of his son Cambyses. Katharine Darnley was daughter of James II and half-sister of the Old Pretender.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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7" x 11.5"