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FLETCHER, PHINEAS. The Purple Island; or, The Isle of Man. Together with Piscatorie Eclogs and Other Poeticall Miscellanies. [14] (of [16]), 181, [1] (of [3]); [2] (of [4]), 96, 101-130, [2] pages; lacks 3 blanks and last leaf with verses by Francis Quarles. 4to, 178x138 mm, later 19th-century burgundy morocco, spine faded, front joint restored, rear joint starting; margins trimmed touching top of rule border on some leaves, contents generally clean. Bookplates of T. J. Coolidge Jr. and Boston Public Library (duplicate). Cambridge: Printers to the Universitie, 1633
first edition, ordinary-paper issue. The Purple Island was Fletcher's chief work, "an elaborate allegorical description of the human body, with anatomical notes" (Osler). "The work covers three large areas of Man: the external, physical anatomy; the internal, moral-mental-spiritual anatomy; and the war of virtues and vices . . . The Purple Island is easily one of the most unusual poems in English" (DLB). Hayward 67; Krivatsy 4121; Osler 4810; Pforzheimer 376; STC 11082; Westwood & Satchell, page 95.
