The Masques, lacking the separate title page but otherwise complete. NOTE: this is one of four Ben Jonson first editions I will be bringing to the PBFA Hay on Wye Book Fair on Saturday 12th July 2025. Originally issued for the first time in what is generally referred to as Jonson’s second folio. This was published in 1640 by Richard Meighen and contained works not published before. The first volume, published in the same year, was a revised reprint of his first folio of 1616. The long delay between the publications was due to a legal dispute in the 1630s. Masques were popular entertainments written expressly for the Royal Court and performed at significant times such as Christmas, Easter or marriages. Although rarely, if ever, performed now they were important works and on occasions the Royals themselves would take part. Masques tended to be allegorical, fantastical, irreverent and topical; they were also short, with songs and dances. Architect and designer Inigo Jones worked with Jonson on many of the works here, he designed the elaborate sets, scenery, costumes and lighting. For The Honour of Wales was first performed on 17th February 1618. It was written for Charles Stuart, Prince of Wales, and features stereotypical Welshmen. The dialogue is peppered with attempts to render the Welsh accent, such as 'Loog yow', ‘King S’ames,’ 'boyes' and ‘sym wat petter then you.’ An idea of the elaborate nature of the performance comes from a surviving 1618 bill for three ‘yellow masque costumes’ – they cost £55 each. Contents: Christmas, His Masque; As It Was Presented at Court, 1616; / A Masque Presented in the House of the Right Honorable the Lord Haye, 1617; / The Vision of Delight Presented at Court in Christmas,1617; / Pleasures Reconciled to Vertue. A Masque as It Was Presented at Court Before King James,1619; / For the Honor of Wales, nd; / Newes from the New World Discovered in the Moone. A Masque as It Was Presented at Court Before King James, 1620; / A Masque of the Metamorphosed Gypsies as It Was Thrice Presented to King James, 1621; / The Masque of Augures with the Severall Antimasques Presented on Twelfe-Night, 1622; / Time Vindicated to Himselfe, and to His Honors. In the presentation at Court on Twelfth night, 1623; / Neptunes Triumph for the Returne of Albion. Celebrated in a Masque At the Court on the Twelfth night, 1624; / Pan's Anniversarie; or, The Shepherd's Holy-Day. The Scene Arcadia. As it was presented at Court before King James, 1625; / The Masque of Owles at Kenelworth. Presented by the Ghost of Captaine Coxe mounted in his Hoby-horse, 1626; / The Fortunate Isles, and Their Union. Celebrated in a Masque Design'd for the Court, on the Twelfth night, 1626; / Loves Triumph Through Callipolis. Performed in a Masque at Court, 1630; / Chloridia. Rites to Chloris and Her Nymphs. Personated in a Masque at Court. By the Queenes Majestie And her Ladyes. At Shrove-tide, 1630.