first edition
1789 · Philadelphia
by BUNYAN, John
Philadelphia: John McCulloch, 1789. Full Description:
BUNYAN, John. The Pilgrim's Progress from this World, to that Which is to Come,. Delivered under the Similitude of a Dream. Wherein is discovered, I. The Manner of his setting out. II. His dangerous Journey; and III. His safe Arrival at the desired Country. Philadelphia: John McCulloch, 1789.
Stated First American Edition, but more accurately first complete American edition with all three parts. Likely the first American appearance of Part III. Three parts in one twelvemo volume (6 5/8 x 4 1/8 inches; 168 x 105 mm). [1]-8, [13]-359, [1, publisher's ads] pp. No preliminary leaves A5 and A6, however this seems to be the accurate collation when compared to other copies. With separate title-pages for each part. We could find no other copy besides the present at auction in over 100 years.
Early sheep, rebacked with spine laid down. Leather missing from back board. Spine chipped and boards rubbed. Corners bumped. Previous owner's old ink notes on front and rear endpapers. Leaves D2 and D3 with closed tear, no loss. H4 with tear to bottom margin with loss of a few words. O5 with tear to outer margin with loss of a few letters. Q2 with a small hole, just affecting a few letters. S5 with a tear to top margin, not affecting text. And leaf Aa5 with a closed tear, with no loss. Leaves are stained and toned as expected from American sheets of this era. Still avery good copy of this rare early American edition.
"Part 3, first issued at London in 1693, is an imitation of Bunyan's style by an anonymous author" (Evans)
The most well-known allegory ever written, this journey of the protagonist, Christian, is simultaneously filled with vivid and full human portraits of its characters. With over 100,000 copies sold in Bunyan's lifetime, this "most perfect and complex of fairy tales" succeeded in attracting audiences from every Christian sect.
ESTC W18747. Evans 21720.
HBS 69117.
$6,500. (Inventory #: 69117)
BUNYAN, John. The Pilgrim's Progress from this World, to that Which is to Come,. Delivered under the Similitude of a Dream. Wherein is discovered, I. The Manner of his setting out. II. His dangerous Journey; and III. His safe Arrival at the desired Country. Philadelphia: John McCulloch, 1789.
Stated First American Edition, but more accurately first complete American edition with all three parts. Likely the first American appearance of Part III. Three parts in one twelvemo volume (6 5/8 x 4 1/8 inches; 168 x 105 mm). [1]-8, [13]-359, [1, publisher's ads] pp. No preliminary leaves A5 and A6, however this seems to be the accurate collation when compared to other copies. With separate title-pages for each part. We could find no other copy besides the present at auction in over 100 years.
Early sheep, rebacked with spine laid down. Leather missing from back board. Spine chipped and boards rubbed. Corners bumped. Previous owner's old ink notes on front and rear endpapers. Leaves D2 and D3 with closed tear, no loss. H4 with tear to bottom margin with loss of a few words. O5 with tear to outer margin with loss of a few letters. Q2 with a small hole, just affecting a few letters. S5 with a tear to top margin, not affecting text. And leaf Aa5 with a closed tear, with no loss. Leaves are stained and toned as expected from American sheets of this era. Still avery good copy of this rare early American edition.
"Part 3, first issued at London in 1693, is an imitation of Bunyan's style by an anonymous author" (Evans)
The most well-known allegory ever written, this journey of the protagonist, Christian, is simultaneously filled with vivid and full human portraits of its characters. With over 100,000 copies sold in Bunyan's lifetime, this "most perfect and complex of fairy tales" succeeded in attracting audiences from every Christian sect.
ESTC W18747. Evans 21720.
HBS 69117.
$6,500. (Inventory #: 69117)