A collection of emblemes, ancient and modern : quickened vvith metricall illvstrations, both morall and divine : and disposed into lotteries, that jnstruction, and good counsell, may bee furthered by an honest and pleasant recreation / by George Wither ; the first [-fourth] booke.Wither, George, 1588-1667[1634-] 1635.Added t.p. illustrated, reading: Emblemes. Illustrated by Geo. Wither.First edition, with Grismond imprint.Sig. Nn1 misnumbered N1 ; errors in pagination.Signature *2, second count, misbound before signature *1, secound count. First two leaves ("Preposition" and illustrated t.p.) mounted ; signature Oo3 inlaid and inserted reversed ; last leaf (woodcut dials) wanting ; some leaves slightly bled at the top ; water-stained. Polished brown calf binding, tooled in gold and blind, gilt edges. "Bought of Duffield, Bath, 1822" inscribed on fly-leaf. Armorial bookplate of the Syston Park library, with a small bookplate, containing the monogram J.H.T. (i.e. John Hayford Thorold) within an engraved oval, pasted below. In the Huntington copy of the Grismond issue signature K is marked *.Signatures: 3 l. unsigned, *3-4A4, 1 l. unsigned, A-I4K2L-S4*2V-Z4Aaa-Dd4*2Ff-Oo4.The 200 plates of the emblems were engraved by Crispijn van de Passe and appeared originally in the Emblemata sacra of Rollenhagius, 1611-1613 (Cf. H. Green, Andrea Alciati, 1872, p. 248-260, etc.).The arrangement of the preliminary matter in the different issued described in the Hoe, Grolier Club, and Huntington catalogues varies.Wither's portrait on verso of 8th p.l. ; title and text within lined borders ; woodcut initials and printer's ornaments.Without general t.p. ; each book has special t.p. ; books 2-4 have imprint: London, Printed by Avgvstine Mathevves. 1634.text