Simón

1774 · ref. 5279 — Amsterdam: Pieter Meijer; Helders & Mars 1774; 1786. First edition. Acceptable. Quarto 22 cm 45493 pages and 11 plates six portraits and five dramatic scenes engraved by Reiner Vineles and J. Houbraken. Engraved vignette on title page. "Artemines" ; 85 1 and one engraved dramatic scene; engraved vignette on title page. Part I only a second part was published in 1786 which included "Artemines". Bound in speckled paper-covered boards with leather backstrip. Spine vertically cracked but holding; joints the same. Basically clean sound and entire. Collection of romantic tragedies by the husband-and-wife team of Van Winter and Van Merken. In fact all but one of the titles in this collection are by the wife Van Merken only "Monzongo" an anti-slavery drama is by Van Winter. Van Winter was the son of a trader in indigo and dyes and witnessed first-hand the kinds of abuses which led to his anti-slavery play Monzongo. Van Merken was an established poet and playwright when she married Van Winter the year his first wife died 1768. Her "Artemines" subtitled in French "La vertu pour guide" was first published in 1774 but was republished in 1786 to coincide with the second volume not present of the couple's collected works. Pieter Meijer; Helders & Mars hardcover