"THE FIRST GREAT AUTOBIOGRAPHY": AUGUSTINE'S CONFESSIONS, 1660 EDITION IN ENGLISH

AUGUSTINE. The Life of S. Augustine. The First Part. Written by Himself in the First Ten Books of His Confessions Faithfully Translated. London: John Crook, 1660. Small octavo, early full brown calf, raised bands, burgundy morocco spine label. $2800.

Early edition in English of Augustine's seminal autobiography.

Written about 400 A.D., Augustine's Confessions was an extraordinary literary achievement. His account of his youth, his conversion, and his ruminations on the nature of time and memory "were something quite new in literary composition. Their frank description of both emotional and intellectual problems, their acute psychological observations and the analysis of complex sentiments, and at the same time their obvious sincerity and humility, account for their immediate and lasting influence… It is a book which both in its strength of thought and confession of weakness has been a constant companion to many Christians, and Rousseau's and other notable autobiographies are greatly indebted to it" (PMM 7). First published in English in 1620. This edition of the first 10 chapters covers Augustine's life; the last three chapters (not included in this translation) were devoted primarily to biblical exegesis. Wing A4211. Armorial bookplates. Early owner signature on title page. Early annotations.

Interior fairly clean, closed marginal tear to leaf B7, not affecting text. Light edge-wear to handsome calf boards. An excellent copy.