George Chapman called his Homeric translations from ancient Greek into Elizabethan English “the worke that I was borne to doe”.
The first instalment towards the complete translation of Homer was published in 1598 and the last in 1624.
The London stationer who worked with Chapman on the project was Nathaniel Butter.
He is celebrated today as one of the earliest English news publishers and the printer of the first edition of King Lear in 1608. He printed Chapman’s translation of the Iliad in 1611 and the Odyssey in 1614 with the first collected works issued c.1616 as The Whole Works of Homer; Prince of Poetts. In his Iliads, and Odysses.
It includes an engraved architectural title by William Hole and, on the following pages, a portrait of Chapman and a memorial dedication to Henry, Prince of Wales, the first son of James I who had died in November 1612.
Three-volume copy of George Chapman’s Homeric translations sold for £13,500 at Great Western Auctions.
The three-volume copy of Chapman’s works offered by Great Western Auctions (24% buyer’s premium) in Glasgow on June 23 was bound in 19th century full gilt and crimson leather by Ramage of London.
Three-volume copy of George Chapman’s Homeric translations sold for £13,500 at Great Western Auctions.
In addition to the collected works by Butter, the third volume was John Bill’s 1624 first edition of Batrachomyomachia. Or the Battaile of Frogs and Mise.
The engraved allegorical title-page is by Willem van der Passe and is seen here in this first state with the word ‘Worckes’ rather than ‘Workes’ seen in later copies.
Estimated at £3000-5000, it took £13,500.
