"Homer His Iliads Translated, Adorn'd with Sculpture and Illustrated with Annotations,
by John Ogilby, Esq; Master of his Majesties Revells in the Kingdom of Ireland. Printed by James Flesher for the Authour, MDCLXIX"
istorical texts from The Book
as a Work of Art include six different printings of Homer's Iliad,
dating from 1611 to 1970, all on loan from the private collection of Brian
Heidtke. The books give a glimpse of early printing - movable type, leather-tooled
bindings and parchment papers. The selection of Iliads in the the
exhibit attest to the continuity of book-making techniques across the centuries.
These early techniques have endured through the ages and continue to be
used in the book arts by limited-edition publishers.
Homer's epic poem is recounted in an elaborate, beautiful edition created in 1669 for King Charles II. The book is dedicated to "The High and Mighty Monarch, Charles the Second, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc."
The large-scale letterpress book has gold-tooled leather bindings, marbled end papers and is illustrated with remarkable etchings.