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John Bunyan. A Discourse of the Building, Nature, Excellency, and Government of the House of God. With Counsels and Direct...
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Description
One of only four copies known of a Bunyan rarity
John Bunyan. A Discourse of the Building, Nature,
Excellency, and Government of the House of God. With Counsels and
Directions to the Inhabitants thereof. London: Printed by
George Larkin, 1688.8vo (151 x 92 mm). With original license leaf at end. Early 19th-century polished calf, gilt-lettered lettering pieces on spine; cloth folding case.
FIRST EDITION. An extremely rare work by Bunyan, written in verse. Wing lists only two copies: one in the British Library and one in the Bodleian. The present copy is the only recorded copy to contain its original license leaf dated 6th December 1687, granted by Rob. Midgley. It is likely that, although here bound at the end of the volume, it was originally conjugate with the title. The work "was originally published as a pocket volume of sixty-three pages" (Offor). The present copy bears three stab marks in the inner margins, from its original issue as a pamphlet.
J. Mitford whose signature appears on the front free endpaper was probably the Reverend John Mitford (1781-1859), whose books were sold by Sotheby and Wilkinson over twenty days between April and July 1860.
EXCEEDINGLY RARE: One of only four copies known, this being the only copy to contain the original license leaf.
Condition: Spine scuffed and a little stained, with a few tiny nicks to labels; minor wear to edges; front hinge cracked but firm; endpapers spotted and stained; blank outer margins of D6-7 discreetly repaired; license leaf creased and soiled, and repaired along inner margin; some light soiling and creasing; occasional minor spotting to text.
References: ESTC R215887; Harrison 39 (records 3 copies: 2 belonging to R. L. Harmsworth and one at the Morgan Library); Wing B-5510 (2 copies only).
Provenance: Mitford (signature on front flyleaf, dated "Octob. 1824"); Narcissus Lutrell (pencil note on front flyleaf); Marquess of Bute (Cardiff Castle bookplate); sold Christie's, 15 March 1995, lot 53, to; James O. Edwards (booklabel). From the William A. Strutz Library.
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Auction Info
2024 June 27 Important English and American Literature: The William A. Strutz Library, Part I, Rare Books Signature® Auction #6295 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
June, 2024
27th
Thursday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 6
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
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