Poems. Second edition

1669

De Beer Ec 1669 P

London: Printer by J.M. for H. Herringman

Another woman to adopt a pseudonym was the poet Katherine Philips (1631–1664), who was known as ‘Orinda’. ‘The Matchless Orinda’ also did translations. These included Corneille’s Pompée, the first rhymed version of a French tragedy in English, as well as the first English play written by a woman to be performed on the professional stage. This folio edition of her posthumously produced Poems was edited by her friend, Sir Charles Cotterell, Master of Ceremonies at the court of Charles II. The large folio format is important. It not only reflected her reputation in refined literary circles, but also her standing with her publishers, who no doubt recouped their investment. Here is the second edition, which not only reconfirmed her popularity but also helped establish in print her poetic legacy.