Sophocles; Thomas Francklin, trans. THE TRAGEDIES OF SOPHOCLES, FROM THE GREEK. 2 vols. (complete). London: Printed for R. Francklin, 1759 (vol. I), 1758 (vol. II). Full speckled calf, blind paneled, with morocco labels, gilt stamped lettering and patterns and raised bands on spine, all edges stained red, patterned paste-down endpapers. Vol. I bound with A Dissertation on Ancient Tragedy. 4to; a-b4 [A]2 B-C4 E4 E*4 F-M4 N2 O-2P4 Qq2, A-G4 H2 (H2v blank); A-3D4 (Ddd4 blank); [20] 297pp. (i.e. 293, several pages mis-numbered), 59pp.; 398, [2]pp. Plate with "Plan of a Greek Theater" bound with A Dissertation on Ancient Tragedy at the end of vol. I. Vol. I with engraved frontispiece, dedication, list of subscribers, errata, and one page of advertisements; both vols. with device on title page and blue ribbon bookmark. ESTC T141000.

Each volume 11 1/8 x 8 7/8 in.

From the Collection of Professor Roberto Severino, Washington, D.C.

Thomas Francklin (1721-1784) was a playwright and professor. His translation of Sophocles's tragedies into English from the Greek is well-known and long celebrated.

A very good set; boards scuffed, with edgewear and small losses to leather, corners bumped and light rubbing to spines with wear at head and tail; expected toning, offsetting, scattered foxing, occasional minor grime and corner or edge loss; vol. 1 with first free endpaper partially glued to front paste-down, and one leaf with last page of subscribers and errata bound out of order, pages overall clean and crisp.