First Collected Edition

Edinburgh: William Patterson & London: Sotheran & Co., 1872. 4 volume set, 8 inches tall. A superb late Victorian half crushed morocco, bound by Ramage with gilt raised bands, neat gilt tooled panels and gilt top edges. From the series 'Dramatists of the Restoration'. This is the first collected edition of his works and particularly difficult to find in a fine binding. John Crowne was born in London on 6 April 1641, emigrated to Nova Scotia in 1657 aboard the ship Satisfaction, and studied at Harvard College. He returned to England with his father in 1660. He was a fertile writer of plays with an historical setting, in the fashion of the French romances. Encouraged by Charles II he produces some fine Restoration Comedies. Little is known of his later life. A superb set of this scarce work.

Edinburgh: William Patterson & London: Sotheran & Co., 1872. 5 volume set, 8 inches tall. A superb late Victorian half crushed morocco, bound by Ramage with gilt raised bands, neat gilt tooled panels and gilt top edges. From the series 'Dramatists of the Restoration'. Davenant, who claimed to be the godson of Shakespeare, was one of the rare figures whose career spanned both the Caroline and Restoration eras and who was active both before and after the English Civil War and during the Interregnum. Sentenced to death by the Parliamentarians, his life was spared thanks to the intervention of John Milton. He was deemed a fitting successor to Ben Jonson as Poet Laureate and was immensely respected during his lifetime. This is the first collected edition of his works and particularly difficult to find in a fine binding.