QUARLES, Francis. Emblemes [with] Hieroglyphikes of the Life of Man. London: c. 1709–1736. 18th-Century Edition Text Block. Features a modern printed facsimile title page of the 1684 Williams imprint. Spine erroneously stamped "1634" at the heel. Small Octavo (12mo). Profusely illustrated with the 18th-century copperplate engravings of Peter Holmes.
Long before Instagram or graphic novels, 17th-century readers had Francis Quarles’ Emblemes—the ultimate multimedia mashup of the Baroque era. First published in 1635, this work became the absolute high-water mark of the English emblem tradition, operating as a wildly popular, hyper-visual guide to the human psyche. Instead of dry theology, Quarles created a deeply relatable, psychological dialogue between the Soul and Divine Love, tracing the messy reality of navigating a world full of earthly temptations and superficial distractions. Bound alongside his equally legendary Hieroglyphikes of the Life of Man, the book shifts into a meditation on human mortality and the relentless passage of time. Utilizing dark-aesthetic allegories—like burning candles, draining hourglasses, and skeletal personifications of Death—it served as a vivid visual anchor for early modern readers grappling with their own brief existence. It was an absolute cultural phenomenon, offering a stunning window into the roots of visual storytelling.
This particular copy is a spectacular puzzle for the dedicated antiquarian book collector. While the spine is stamped with the work's near-original date of 1634, and the front carries a modern printed facsimile title page mimicking the 1684 edition, forensic analysis of the text block reveals a genuine 18th-century printing.
The true heart of this copy lies in its beautiful illustrations. The copperplate engravings are signed by the celebrated engraver Peter Holmes (d. 1702). These plates were utilized exclusively for the premium 18th-century editions. For a collector intrigued by bibliographic mysteries, sophisticated copies, and the complex history of how early texts were preserved, rebound, and compiled over the centuries, this copy offers historical charm.
Condition Report
• Binding: Sturdy antique half-leather hardcover binding with beautifully aged mustard-and-black marbled paper boards. The leather corner tips show honest rub-wear but remain structurally sound. Compartments are highlighted with minimalist gold leaf horizontal tool lines and erroneously stamped with the date 1634 at the foot. The joints are completely solid.
• Interior: A heavily handled, imperfect, but highly illustrative copy. The text block displays uniform age-toning, light peripheral finger-soiling, and occasional edge fraying consistent with its age.
• Bibliographic Completeness Note: The title page is a modern printed facsimile. The text block itself is missing one leaf 225-26 within the primary Emblemes section (which finishes on page 310). The Hieroglyphikes section terminates at page 364 (Hieroglyph XIII), lacking the final leaves of the text block at the rear.
We provide detailed photographs to allow you to assess the book's condition and aesthetic appeal.
