The Works of John Suckling

1719

De Beer 1719 S

Printed for Jacob Tonson

On the front paste-down of this volume is the bookplate of American artist, Leonard Baskin (1922-2000) and his first wife Esther Tane. Their initials are worked into the design with one of Baskin’s favoured mottos ‘Nihil humanum a me alienum pute’ – a modified quote from Roman playwright, Terence (2nd cent. BC) – meaning ‘nothing human is alien to me’. The bookplate dates from 1950, and the image of the eagle fits with Baskin’s life-long fascination with raptors. In 1942, while studying at Yale, Baskin established Gehanna Press; and in 1952, he published ‘The Candle’, a poem by John Suckling (1609-41), which features in this volume (above) on page 79. This may explain why he once owned this book. The ‘Gift of’ Esmond de Beer bookplate is pasted on the adjacent page.