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Lot 476
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1st Ed. of Bluestocking Elizabeth Carter's Translation of "Epictetus", The First Edition in English of the Complete Works of Epictetus
1st Ed. of Bluestocking Elizabeth Carter's Translation of "Epictetus", The First Edition in English of the Complete Works of Epictetus
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Description:

1st Ed. of Bluestocking Elizabeth Carter's Translation of "Epictetus", The First Edition in English of the Complete Works of Epictetus

"All the Works of Epictetus, Which are Now Extant; Consisting of His Discourses, Preserved by Arrian, In Four Books, The Enchiridion, and Fragments" Translated from the Original Greek by Elizabeth Carter. London: Samuel Richardson, 1758. First Edition, small Quarto. [17], xlii, 505, [11]pp. The front and back covers of the volume have become detached, and have scratching, wear, rubbing, and bumping to the covers and corners. The binding is cracked and slightly loose, with some front and back pages having become separated. Minor chipping to the page edges. Toning, foxing, and staining throughout internal pages.

With an Introduction and Notes by Carter and a lengthy subscribers list, including the Prince of Wales, Princess Dowager of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Argyll, Lord Viscount Bolingbroke, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and many more. Brown leather-bound. Signed by a previous owner on a front free end page "John H James/4 Dec 1863." Along with two pages with biographical information on Elizabeth Carter and a lengthy inscription from an earlier owner reading in part: "…the longer I live, and the more I learn, the more am I convinced that stoicism, properly understood, is the best and noblest system of morals. If you have never read the book, buy Mrs. Carter's translation of it whenever it comes in your way. Books of Morals are seldom good for anything; the Stoical books are an exception. In morals, as in everything else, one should aim high. R. Southey to his brother Henry 21 Dec 1806." 

Elizabeth Carter (1717-1806) was an English poet, classicist, writer and translator, and a member of the Bluestocking Circle. "The Cambridge History of English and American Literature" gives the following tribute to Carter and her great work: “Epictetus appeared before the public in 1758, and its success and sale make it one of the minor romances of publishing. It was in one volume, large quarto, and 1018 copies were struck off at first; but, as these were insufficient, 250 more were printed a few months later. It was issued by subscription, and the price was a guinea in sheets. In her own copy were the names of no fewer than 1031 subscribers, and, since many copies were not claimed 'by way of compliment,' Mrs. Carter gained nearly a thousand pounds profit. Richardson’s bill for printing the first impression amounted to £67. 7s. Two further editions were printed in her life-time, and, for many years, it remained a good selling book at a high price. Epictetus gained for its author a European reputation. So far afield as Russia, where, said Elizabeth Carter, 'they were only just beginning to walk on their hind legs,' there appeared a notice of the learned Englishwoman, and she was told that the Tsarina had read it through with high approbation. After its publication, she was regarded by the bluestocking circle with something akin to awe, and it is almost a relief to find her intimates, Mrs. Montagu and Miss Talbot, jestingly referring to her 'uncle Epictetus,' or writing of her as 'cousin-german to Xenophon,' while Walpole, with his facile talent for bestowing unchristian names, frequently calls her Mrs. Epictetus Carter.

The Blue Stockings Society was founded in the early 1750s by Elizabeth Montagu, Elizabeth Vesey and others as a literary, social, and educational discussion group, which sought to distance its members from traditional, non-intellectual women's activities. Both men and women were invited to attend and encouraged to prioritize conversation over fashion in the newly informal setting. The group seemingly got its name from botanist, translator and publisher Benjamin Stillingfleet, who was not rich enough to dress properly for the meetings and was frequently seen wearing blue worsted stockings. Notable members include: Frances Burney (aka Madame d'Arblay), Margaret Cavendis Bentinck, Duchess of Portland, Dr. Samuel Johnson, Sarah Fielding, Sir Joshua Reynolds, David Garrick, and Sarah Scott.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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