Heading:
Author: [Pope, Alexander]
Title: An Essay on Man. Address'd to a Friend. Part I [with] An Essay on Man. In Epistles to a Friend
Place Published: London
Publisher:J. Wilford
Date Published: [1733-34]
Description:

5 volumes together. Uniformly bound in modern paper-backed marbled boards, spines gilt-lettered, all but the first volume uncut.

• 
  An Essay on Man. Address'd to a Friend. Part I. [1733]. (Folio) 32x20 cm (12½x8"). First Edition, first issue (according to Griffith), second issue (according to Wise).


• 
  An Essay on Man. In Epistles to a Friend, Epistle I. Corrected by the Author. [1733]. (Folio) 37x23 cm (14½x9"). First Revised Edition (Third).


• 
  An Essay on Man. In Epistles to a Friend, Epistle II. [1733]. (Folio) 36x23 cm (14¼x9"). First Edition, first issue. With the half-title page which, however, is inserted from a smaller copy.


• 
  An Essay on Man. In Epistles to a Friend, Epistle III. [1733]. 36.5x23 cm (14½x9"). First Edition, first issue. With the half-title page.


• 
  An Essay on Man. In Epistles to a Friend, Epistle IV. [1734]. (Folio) 37x23 cm (14½x9"). First Edition.

A remarkably preserved set, all but the first edition of the first epistle in original size, entirely uncut. The question of priority of issue in regard to the first edition of the first epistle has never been satisfactorily settled. It may be said, however, that Professor Griffith has made the most thorough study of the subject. It is his opinion that the issue here, which collates regularly A-E2, is the actual first. Other bibliographers, including T.J. Wise favor the issue with the irregular collation A2, B1, B-D2. Irregularities in printing often indicate an early state, but Professor Griffith has found that this issue has many points similar to definitely later issues and believes it to be of later date.

The Drinkwater-Kern copies with respective book labels.

Light foxing within with a bit of soiling and a few stains, occasional creases; overall near fine.