Lot 36
Lot 36
Sold to Benefit Historic Deerfield: The Collection of a Lady
Biathanatos

John Donne, 1647

    Price Realised USD 3,528
    Estimate
    USD 2,000 - USD 3,000
    Try our
    Biathanatos

    John Donne, 1647

    Price Realised USD 3,528
    Price Realised USD 3,528
    Details
    DONNE, John (1573-1631). Biathanatos. A Declaration of that Paradoxe, or Thesis, that Selfe-homicide is not so Naturally Sinne, that it may never be otherwise. London: John Dawson [1647].

    First edition, first issue, with the title undated. The earliest of Donne's controversial writings, published posthumously. Donne had always been reluctant to publish and was content to let the work, which expressed his doubts about the absolute sinfulness of suicide, circulate in manuscript. Lacking first blank. Keynes 47, Pforzheimer 292.

    Quarto (190 x 140mm). (A little browning to preliminary leaves, title page a little frayed at upper margin.) Modern vellum. Provenance: manuscript note to title page – H.L. (stamp to title page) – Christopher Creswell, Eton, 1945 (gift bookplate loosely inserted).
    • Conditions of Sale
    • FAQs
    • This lot is offered by Christie's Inc
    Brought to you by
    Heather WeintraubSpecialist, Books, Manuscripts, & Archives
    A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.
    +1 212 636 2673
    More from
    Fine Printed Books and Manuscripts
    View All