first edition [ii], 54 pp. 8vo
1749 · London
by Fielding, Henry
London: A. Millar, 1749. First edition. [ii], 54 pp. 8vo. Modern quarter calf, cloth boards, uncut. Title creased and soiled, with two small closed tears, affecting one letter, some creasing and soiling to margins, paper flaw at top margin of B1, last leaf soiled and rubbed, affecting text. First edition. [ii], 54 pp. 8vo. First edition of Fielding's defense of the government's controversial decision to hang the young wig maker Bosavern Penlez after his involvement in riots at several London bawdy houses. Fielding, as chief magistrate, was responsible for quelling the riots, and it was his disclosure that Penlez had stolen linens from a brothel (a crime for which he was not convicted) that precluded a pardon and sealed the young man's fate.
There are two 1749 printings, with the second printing not so designated on the title-page. The first printing is identifiable by the press marks 2-4, 16-1, 22-3, 32-4, 39-2 & 44-1 and the readings "Pulton" on p. 5 l. 22 and "Examples" on p. 12 l. 1. In the second printing, signature B and pages C3r, C4r-v, E1v, and E4r were reset, the remainder being printed from standing type. Cross III, pp. 319-20; Rothschild 852. Provenance: Blackwell's (pencil note); Louis & Anne Marie Davidson (bookplate) (Inventory #: 308063)
There are two 1749 printings, with the second printing not so designated on the title-page. The first printing is identifiable by the press marks 2-4, 16-1, 22-3, 32-4, 39-2 & 44-1 and the readings "Pulton" on p. 5 l. 22 and "Examples" on p. 12 l. 1. In the second printing, signature B and pages C3r, C4r-v, E1v, and E4r were reset, the remainder being printed from standing type. Cross III, pp. 319-20; Rothschild 852. Provenance: Blackwell's (pencil note); Louis & Anne Marie Davidson (bookplate) (Inventory #: 308063)