*SOLD*
“I write of melancholy, by being busy to avoid melancholy…”
The Anatomy of Melancholy
Robert Burton(Bobby B)
Oxford, 1621
Quarto(183 x 141 mm). First edition, complete with the errata leaf. Woodcut initials and headpieces, typographical ornaments. Small burn hole on Qq3 affecting a few letters, a few minor mostly marginal stains. 19th-century blue morocco gilt, edges gilt, joints strengthened and lightly rubbed. Withal, a Near Fine copy with an intriguing provenance. Pencil notation on rear endpaper noting the purchase of this copy from Dawson's, London on April 7th, 1971. Gordon Castle bookplate, Charles Larkin signature on front pastedown, and ex-libris Abel Berland(noted collector of the finest early English books, particularly Shakespeare). Extensive 20th-century notations as neat miniscule cyphers and markings crossing text in colored ink attempting to support the Bacon-Shakespeare conspiracy(presumably the conspiracist surmised that having been both men’s contemporary, Burton hid the conspiracy clues all over his text) – a very fitting provenance of derangement for this book.
The classic study on depression by the Oxford clergyman scholar - but the book is much more than that. It’s a rich work that touches upon so many facets of life with great humor, compassion, and empathy. Burton leveraged every bit of ancient and contemporary knowledge he could from the fields of literature, philosophy, and science to create an encyclopedic tour de force. He dispenses practical, sage advice on keeping melancholy at bay that’s also simply a good way to live – don’t remain idle, keep up with friends, practice moderation, etc. We take this advice for granted today, but he was ahead of his time. Enormously popular in its day and released in numerous editions, it was a favorite of Keats, Byron, and Samuel Johnson(helping Johnson with his own relentless depression). The book evokes the poignancy of engaging in a deep, humorous, soothingly life-changing conversation about the various depressing aspects of existence with an empathetic, witty, learned friend. It’s one of the greatest achievements in the English language, an eminently quotable handbook of life, and simply a wonderful book.