Biathanatos [in Greek] A declaration of that paradoxe, or thesis, that selfe-homicide is not so naturally sinne, that it may never be otherwise. Wherein the nature, and the extent of all those lawes, which seeme to be violated by this act, are diligently surveyed.

DONNE, John

Published by Printed by John Dawson, London, 1644

About this Item

A Declaration of that Paradoxe, or Thesis, that Selfe-homicide is not so Naturally Sinne, that it may never be otherwise. Wherein The Nature, and the extent of all those Lawes, which seeme to be violated by this Act, are diligently surveyed. London: Printed by John Dawson, [1644]. First edition, first issue, with two leaves of "Authors cited in this booke" (*) and (*)2 though bound in between Ee and Ee2. Small quarto. [18], 192, 19[1] 192 [sic]-218 (which is actually 220). Lacking the initial blank, as is often the case. Contemporary calf, rebacked. Red morocco label. Some scuffing. Housed in a custom full brown morocco clamshell, gilt-stamped on spine. Small ink spot on title-page. Small burn through Q4 affecting a few letters. Generally quite clean and fresh. Very nicely margined. Small split along spine. Near fine overall. Copy of renowned Donne collector Robert S. Pirie of Hamilton, Massachusetts, acknowledged by Keynes as having "the only private collection of original editions that can rival my own." Previous owner's bookplate. In this unique treatise, published posthumously and against the author's wishes by his son, Donne "discusses with wonderful subtlety and learning the question whether under any conceivable circumstances suicide might be excusable." (D.N.B.) Grolier, Wither to Prior, 294. Keynes 47. Pforzheimer 292. Wing D1858. HBS 66463. $7,500.

Seller Inventory # 66463

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Biathanatos [in Greek] A declaration of that paradoxe, or thesis, that selfe-homicide is not so naturally sinne, that it may never be otherwise. Wherein the nature, and the extent of all those lawes, which seeme to be violated by this act, are diligently surveyed.
• Publisher: Printed by John Dawson, London
• Publication Date: 1644
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Seller catalogs:
  • Books in Greek
  • English Literature
  • Seventeenth-Century Literature