1716 Trivia or The Art of Walking t the Streets of London

Description

First Edition, Illustrated, Leather Binding

This is the first edition of the work, undated to title page though is known to be published in 1716. This copy was sold as a part of Esher Sale part II Sotheby's London 20 May 1946 Lot 770 "Gay's best remembered poem, at once the finest mock-georgic in English and without question the greatest poem on London life in English literature", Irving. This is not the large paper edition, and has the phoenix headpiece to the first page and two printer's ornaments to pages 21 and 53 as it should. According to the ESTC the ornaments to pages 21 and 53 are also used by William Bowyer. To this edition the signature of C3 is unsigned, in accordance with the ESTC's copy. The same year as this publication there was a Dublin imprint and the second London edition due to its popularity. Trivia or the Art of Walking the Streets of London is a poem in three books. It is a graphic and humorous description of eighteenth century London. The narrative tone is mock-heroic form and is aimed at the idle upper and upper-middle class society. With the bookplate of one Oliver Brett to the front pastedown. This is the bookplate of Oliver Sylvain Baliol Brett, 3rd Viscount Esher. Sold as a part of Esher Sale part II Sotheby's London 20 May 1946 Lot 770. Prior owner's inscription to the title page, 'Vincent Mathias'. Possibly the signature of Vincent Mathias c.1711-1782, sub treasurer in the Queen's household and father of famed satirist Thomas James Mathias. The first edition of this humorous eighteenth century poem.