First edition of Pope's translation—Subscription quarto
Alexander Pope's translation, done in heroic rhymed couplet, stands in contrast to Homer's plainer style, and caused Richard Bentley, a classical scholar and contemporary of Pope's, to remark, "It is a pretty poem, Mr. Pope, but you must not call it Homer." Samuel Johnson said the translation, "made Homer graceful but lost him some of his sublimity." In his "Observations of the Eighth Book," Pope defends his style, stating, " A Man shall be call'd a faithful Translator for rendering πόδας ώκύς in English, swift-footed; but laugh'd at if he should translate our English word dext'rous into any other Language, right-handed."
The translation was a significant cultural milestone in the early 18th century, available in three different sizes: quarto, folio, and "large folio." Historically, the folio size was the standard for significant publications in England. However, Pope favored the quarto size, possibly influenced by trends that began in France during the mid-1600s. This preference led to the quarto editions being specially prepared for subscribers, featuring exclusive engravings, including headpieces, tailpieces, and vignettes, which were not present in the folio editions.
Housed in three custom ochre speckled calf clamshell cases.
Pagination: Vol. 1: [58], [1]-63, [64, blank], [1], [1]-40, [2], 47-143, [144, blank], [2], 145-180, [4], 181-218, [2], 223-254, [2], [321]-357, 356, 295-317, [318, blank]
vol. 2: [6], 321-657, [658, errata]. vol. 3: [5], 662-948. vol. 4: [7], 958-1295, [1296, blank]. vol. 5: [5], 1304-1370, [6], 1374-1598, 1591-1598, [2], 1609-1630. vol. 6: [7], 1634-1749, 1758-1882, [34, indexes and errata]
Collation: Vol. 1: a4, A-F4, G1, B-I4, a1, A-E4, [B]-F4, G2, H-O4, [p1], P-T4(T4 + 2), U2, X-Ee4, Oo-Ss4, Ll-Nn4. Vol 2: pi2(pi2 + 1), Oo-Iiii4, Kkkk1. Vol. 3: pi1, 4L-5Z4, 6A1. vol. 4: pi2, 6B-7Z4.vol. 5: [8A1], 8B-9L4, 9M1, 9N-9U4(9U4 + 1). vol. 6: [10A2], 10B4, 9Y-10L4, 10MN4, 10O-11G4, 11H-11M2, 11N1