[Richard Blackmore]. Letters between Theophilus and Eugenio, a 1747 Franklin Imprint

[Richard Blackmore]

Letters between Theophilus and Eugenio, on the Moral Depravity of Man, and the Means of His Restoration. Wrote in the East-Indies, And now First Published from the Original Manuscript. Philadelphia: Printed and Sold by B. Franklin, MDCCXLVII (1747)

4to (195 x 154 mm). A persistent but diminishing stain in the lower margin, never touching the printing, the paper is brittle at the stain, causing some minor edge chips to the title-page and subsequent six leaves, all now expertly closed and reinforced with Japanese tissue, a few other largely marginal stains in the text, the title with some additional small chips and short tears at edges. Modern full brown leather, gilt spine.

First American edition. Though once erroneously attributed to Benjamin Franklin, this religious work about the sinfulness and salvation of man is now believed to have been written by Sir Richard Blackmore, the English poet, physician, and theologian. He is best remembered for having been repeatedly satirized by Alexander Pope and others. The first edition was published in London in 1720, with the title Letters of Religion Between Theophilus and Eugenio.

Quite scarce: according to Rare Book Hub, only three copies have appeared at auction in the last century.

REFERENCES

Miller 422; ESTC W13539; Evans 5985; Hildeburn 1019;Sabin 25528