HOMER (fl. c. 8th century B.C.); CHAPMAN, George (c.1559–1634). The Whole Works of Homer. London: [Richard Field and William Jaggard] for Nathaniel Butter, [c.1616].

First issue of the first complete English translation of Homer’s works. In 1598, George Chapman began publishing instalments of his Iliad translation. Later, “The Complete Odysseys were published in two parts between 1614 and 1615, while The Whole Works of Homer were published in c.1616 and c.1634. Both works show how Chapman did not provide literal English versions of his originals; rather, he personalized and appropriated his epic source.” (Oxford Encyclopedia of British Literature). Chapman’s patron – Henry, Prince of Wales – died of typhoid fever age 18 in 1616 and thus the completed edition here features an engraved memorial with epitaph in verse. STC 13624.

Folio (290 × 197mm). Engraved general title-page by William Hole with engraved portrait of Chapman on verso, engraved memorial to Henry, Prince of Wales, “HOMERS” in running titles, with Odyssey’s blanks 2R8 and 2I8 (Odyssey bound before Iliad, without Iliad’s quire π and final blank 2G8, extended lower margins in Odessey’s A6 and Iliad’s errata leaf (“Faults escaped”) at A6, toned, light soiling and spotting). Contemporary English calf, thick floral frame tooled in blind, marbled endleaves (rebacked, boards restored preserving most of upper and lower covers).