Beschreibung:

SWIFT, Jonathan (1667-1745) – ARISTOPHANES (c. 448-c. 380BC). Comoediae undecim, Graec è et Latinè , edited by Joseph Scaliger. Leyden: Joanne Maire, 1624.
SWIFT, Jonathan (1667-1745) – ARISTOPHANES (c. 448-c. 380BC). Comoediae undecim, Graec è et Latinè , edited by Joseph Scaliger. Leyden: Joanne Maire, 1624. 12° (132 x 74mm). Contemporary vellum with yapp edges, red page edges, manuscript title on spine. Provenance : “Ex bibliotheca Helhana” (inscription on recto of front free endpaper); Charles Bernard (signature at head of title); J. Swift (signature in right hand corner of title; his gift to:) Theophilus Harrison (his signed inscription: “The gift of the Revd. Dr. Jonathan Swift Dean of St. Patrick’s. 1734/5 Theo Harrison” on verso of front free endpaper); C.W.H. Sotheby (armorial bookplate loosely inserted; shelf mark N55 on front pastedown). According to Dirk F. Passmann and Heinz J. Vienken, The Library and Reading of Jonathan Swift , 4 vols. (2003), the volume “was sold at Bloomsbury Book Auctions, 22 September 1988, and is now in a private collection in Ireland” (i. 82). SWIFT’S COPY OF ARISTOPHANES , the great Athenian comic poet. It was bought at the C. Bernard sale, April 1711, “Libri classici 12°”, lot 301. In his Journal to Stella for 11 April 1711, Swift describes how “I and Patrick went into the city by water, where I dined, and then I went to the auction of Charles Bernard’s books, but the good ones were so monstrous dear, I could not reach them ….” A similar excursion was made on the 16th: “I went with Ford into the city today, and dined with Stratford, and drank tockay, and then we went to the auction; but I did not lay out above twelve shillings”. The book was recorded in his 1715 library catalogue at a price of “2s”. Passmann and Vienken affirm that he was "well acquainted" with the works of the Greek dramatist (i. 82). Theophilus Harrison, to whom the Dean gave his copy of Aristophanes in 1735, was the eldest son of Mrs Whiteway; born Martha Swift, she was the last child of Swift’s youngest uncle, Adam. Ehrenpreis notes that the “innocent disposition” of Theophilus, “studious and well-behaved – deeply attracted Swift. According to Dr Sheridan, the young man was ‘every day growing more and more into a friend and companion’ for the old dean’” ( Swift . iii. 826). However, Theophllus died on 23 February 1736. Swift told Thomas Sheridan on 2 March: “We have lost that poor young man Mr. Harrison to my infinite sorrow and disappointment, and to the very near breaking of his Mother’s heart” ( Corr . iv. 270). Le Fanu, A Catalogue of Books belonging to Dr. Jonathan Swift , 12 and 55 (line 203).