1822 [1824] Don Juan: Cantos I. to V.

Description

Early Edition, Rebound

A later state of this early pirated edition of Lord Byron's satirical epic poem, sold by W. Benbow "at the Lord Byron's Head". 

This mixed imprint comprises an engraved title page dated 1822 and the Cantos I-V dated 1824, printed by Sudbury. 

Complete with engraved frontispiece of bust of Lord Byron. 

Rebound in full paper vellum, with hand inscribed title and date to the spine. 

'Don Juan', shrouded in criticism for Byron's ridicule of the social subjects and public figures of his time, is an unfinished poem written between 1819-1824 portraying the Spanish folk legend of Don Juan, not as a womaniser as traditionally portrayed, but as a victim easily seduced by women.

Benbow's edition of this poem was the first to mention Byron's name on the title page and became the more widely bought copy among the public, compared to the first edition published by John Murray, which was very expensive and did not mention Byron.

From the library of Norman Jewson (1884-1975) an English architect-craftsmen of the Arts and Crafts movement. To the front free endpaper it is stated he cased this copy in vellum and that Jewson was known to have rows of such "kippered" bindings along the beams of his cottage in Sapperton, Gloucestershire.