1830 The Devil's Walk and The Devil's Visit

Description

First Edition, Illustrated, Leather Binding, Signed Binding

Bound by Birdsall & Son, Northampton, with the original wraps and adverts bound in.

Two volumes bound in one, containing 'The Devil's Walk' and 'The Devil's Visit', both published in 1830. 

'The Devil's Walk' published by Marsh and Miller. The first separate and expanded edition, the second issue, not including pages 23-24 in the pagination. Illustrated with a frontispiece, and five plates. Three pages of adverts to the rear. Collated, complete.

'The Devil's Visit' published by William Kidd. Illustrated with a frontispiece, and five plates. One leaf of adverts to the rear. Collated, complete.

Both of these poems are humorous satirical pieces.

'The Devil's Walk' is written in common metre, and describes the Devil going on a simple walk enjoying the sight of the sins of mankind. Originally published as 'The Devil's Thoughts', this first expanded separate edition was retitled. Byron imitated this poem in 'The Devil's Drive', and Shelley in his work that's also titled 'The Devil's Walk'.

'Professor Porson' is stated as the author to the title page of 'Walk', however the preface for 'Walk' states that the poem has been attributed to both Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert Southey.

Both works illustrated by Isaac Robert Cruikshank, a popular caricaturist, and the less well known brother of George Cruikshank.

Bookplate of Philip Manfield to the front paste down. Manfield was a shoe manufacturer and a politician, based in Northampton. He was knighted in 1884.