THE STRANGER IN FRANCE; OR, A TOUR FROM DEVONSHIRE TO PARIS

London: Printed for J. Johnson, 1807. Second Edition. 225 x 140 mm. (8 3/4 x 5 1/2"). [iv], 373, [1] pp.
Original blue paper boards and paper backstrip, spine with original printed paper label, EDGES UNTRIMMED. With 12 aquatint plates after sketches by Carr. A Large Paper Copy. First page of text with contemporary ink inscription reading "Ballygarth House." Lowndes I, 377 (1st ed.). Boards with a couple of snags and faint stains, corners minimally rubbed, one plate with vague offsetting, but AN EXCEPTIONALLY FINE COPY, showing very few signs of use, inside or out.

In its remarkably well-preserved original boards, this is a beautiful copy of a popular travel narrative. Sir John Carr (1772-1832) had originally trained as a lawyer, but after visiting the Continent for his health, made his career as a travel writer instead. The 1803 publication of the first edition of the present work launched him into fame as a writer. His subsequent works proved just as popular, and after the 1806 publication of "The Stranger in Ireland," he was knighted by John Russell, 6th Duke of Bedford, then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Afterward, Lord Byron (in a suppressed verse from "Childe Harolde") appropriately called him "Green Erin's [i.e. Ireland's] knight and Europe's wandering star." Our copy's inscription indicates it belonged to the library of Ballygarth House, very probably referring to Ballygarth Castle in County Meath, Ireland, the seat of the Pepper family, which dates from the 14th century. While not a rare book, it is uncommonly encountered in its original publisher's binding, particularly in such fine condition as seen here. Even the richly printed aquatints, which would typically be found foxed or causing offsetting, are in virtually perfect condition..