Selections from the Works of Sir John Suckling

John Suckling; Rev. Alfred Suckling

Published by Longman, Rees, Orme et al., London, 1836

About this Item

Anthony Trollope's own copy of this volume of the works of poet John Suckling, featuring critical annotations in Trollope's own hand. With the armorial bookplate of Trollope to the front pastedown, and with two handwritten passages of analysis of Suckling's works in Trollope's hand.To the tail of page 226, at the end of Suckling's 1637 play 'Aglaura', Trollope writes 'The play, as it ends here, is a good play [.] but, as is the case with all Suckling's verses it is done by an imitative rather than a creative mind'. He notes that the work is derivative 'of Shakespeare, but always with a feeling of general shortcoming'. He remarks that 'Suckling's songs and so called sonnets are the same'. This inscription is dated January 12th, 1879.Trollope's second passage appears on page 377, at the end of the 1638 play 'The Goblins', with his inscription this time dated January 11th 1879. He writes that 'it has been written in curt hand for the stage - so much so that the author has not given himself time for effect, when effect would have been easy. Thankfully there are many small lines in it'. He also notes that 'the character of Regenetta might have been made very pretty'.Alfred Suckling presents a smart volume of the poetry, drama and letters of Sir John Suckling, the prominent seventeenth century poet known for inventing the game cribbage, and the poem 'Ballade upon a Wedding'.Illustrated with a portrait frontispiece of Suckling.With neat marginal pen inscriptions - not in Trollope's hand - to pages 68, 85 and 341, with further instances of light pencil inscriptions in yet another hand.A fascinating work offering unique insight into Anthony Trollope's critically incisive view of another writer. In a full calf binding, with gilt detailing to spine. Significant rubbing to joints and board perimeters, with marks to front board. Anthony Trollope's bookplate to front pastedown. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright, with two lengthy annotations in Trollope's own hand, and with a small number of further annotations in ink and pencil from another hand. Very Good.

Seller Inventory # 845F19

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Selections from the Works of Sir John Suckling
• Publisher: Longman, Rees, Orme et al., London
• Publication Date: 1836
• Binding: Leather
• Illustrator: None
• Condition: Very Good
• Book Type: book
• Seller catalogs:
  • Plays