The Odyssey of Homer – Alexander Pope | Easton Press 1978

$75.00

  • Author: Homer; Alexander Pope translator; John Flaxman illustrator
  • Publisher: Easton Press, 1978
  • Binding: Hardcover
  • Condition: Fine
  • Size: 8vo
  • Attributes: Illustrated, Fine Binding

Easton Press, 1978. Bound in full leather, gilt decorations. All edges gilt. A beautiful copy in Mint condition, LIKE NEW.

Out of stock

The Odyssey of Homer in Alexander Pope’s majestic 18th-century verse translation, published as a premium Easton Press edition (1978), represents the pinnacle of classical literature presented as a bibliophilic masterpiece. This exquisite volume features the celebrated neoclassical illustrations by John Flaxman, whose elegant line drawings – originally created in 1793 – distill Homer’s epic into timeless silhouettes that perfectly complement Pope’s heroic couplets.

Pope’s translation transforms Odysseus’s decade-long journey from Troy to Ithaca into flowing poetic English, capturing both the grandeur of Homer’s Mediterranean world and the intimate humanity of its hero’s struggles – whether facing the Cyclops, resisting the Sirens’ song, or reclaiming his kingdom from Penelope’s suitors. The Easton Press edition enhances this literary treasure with luxurious craftsmanship: genuine leather binding with 22-karat gold accents, archival-quality paper, silk moiré endpapers, and a satin ribbon marker.

Flaxman’s iconic illustrations – reproduced here in their pure, unshaded outlines – bring a sublime geometric clarity to key scenes, from the blinding of Polyphemus to Odysseus’s reunion with his faithful dog Argos. This harmonious fusion of Pope’s verbal artistry and Flaxman’s visual poetry makes the volume a particularly desirable collector’s item. As both a work of world literature and an artifact of publishing excellence, this edition offers readers the rare opportunity to experience Homer’s foundational epic through three interpretive lenses: the ancient poet’s vision, Pope’s Augustan refinement, and Flaxman’s neoclassical aesthetic – all preserved in Easton Press’s enduring bibliographic tradition.