![[DEFOE, Daniel (1660-1731)]](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2022/CKS/2022_CKS_21034_0153_001(defoe_daniel_a_journal_of_the_plague_year_being_observations_or_memori104101).jpg?w=1)
![[DEFOE, Daniel (1660-1731)]](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2022/CKS/2022_CKS_21034_0153_000(defoe_daniel_a_journal_of_the_plague_year_being_observations_or_memori104055).jpg?w=1)
A Journal of the Plague Year: being Observations or Memorials, of the most remarkable Occurrences, as well publick as private, which happened in London during the last Great Visitation in 1665. London: Printed for E. Nutt, J. Roberts, A. Dodd and J. Graves, 1722.
Details
[DEFOE, Daniel (1660-1731)]
A Journal of the Plague Year: being Observations or Memorials, of the most remarkable Occurrences, as well publick as private, which happened in London during the last Great Visitation in 1665. London: Printed for E. Nutt, J. Roberts, A. Dodd and J. Graves, 1722.
First edition of ‘Defoe's most under-appreciated great novel’ (ODNB). A Journal of the Plague Year, written in the early 18th century but concerning the plague of 1665, is regarded as one of the finest accounts of an epidemic written in English. ‘H. F., the protagonist, lives in London throughout the plague, and he is torn between fleeing and staying, between pragmatic, even crass economic motives, and spiritual impulses, and, even more importantly, is obsessed with determining the reasons individuals get the plague’. Rothschild 778.
Octavo (188 x 115mm). Half-title, woodcut ornaments and head- and tailpieces (washed and pressed, light staining in first few leaves, occasional marginal soiling). Bound by Hayday in blind-stamped and panelled brown morocco, red edges (wear at extremities, slight sunning to upper cover). Provenance: ‘Starbuck, London’ (19th-century inscription on endpaper).
A Journal of the Plague Year: being Observations or Memorials, of the most remarkable Occurrences, as well publick as private, which happened in London during the last Great Visitation in 1665. London: Printed for E. Nutt, J. Roberts, A. Dodd and J. Graves, 1722.
First edition of ‘Defoe's most under-appreciated great novel’ (ODNB). A Journal of the Plague Year, written in the early 18th century but concerning the plague of 1665, is regarded as one of the finest accounts of an epidemic written in English. ‘H. F., the protagonist, lives in London throughout the plague, and he is torn between fleeing and staying, between pragmatic, even crass economic motives, and spiritual impulses, and, even more importantly, is obsessed with determining the reasons individuals get the plague’. Rothschild 778.
Octavo (188 x 115mm). Half-title, woodcut ornaments and head- and tailpieces (washed and pressed, light staining in first few leaves, occasional marginal soiling). Bound by Hayday in blind-stamped and panelled brown morocco, red edges (wear at extremities, slight sunning to upper cover). Provenance: ‘Starbuck, London’ (19th-century inscription on endpaper).
Special notice
No VAT on hammer price or buyer's premium.
Brought to you by
Sophie Meadows
Senior Specialist