A Letter from Mr. Cibber to Mr. Pope, inquiring into the motive that might induce him in his satyrical works, to be so frequently fond of Mr. Cibber's name.
first edition
by CIBBER, Colley
Book. London: W. Lewis, 1752. Pp. 66. [with] The Life and Prophecies of Robert Nixon, commonly called The Cheshire Prophet. The Third edition. London: for Mess. Fielding and Walker, [1780? ]. Pp. 28. Wanting half-titles. 8vo (in 4's) contemp half-calf and marbled boards, raised bands, ruled in gilt, red morocco label. First edition of Cibber's famous letter, defending himself from Pope's ill treatment in the recently published fourth book of the Dunciad. NCBEL 2, 778. Together with a rare printing of prophecies by Nixon the Prophet, a plough boy who lived by this account in the 15th century, by others in the 17th. Surviving in folk tradition and manuscript, the prophecies were first printed in 1714, with various treatments appearing well into the 19th century. The present edition has a new historical preface, and takes pains to distinguish itself from John Oldmixon's version, whichaccounts for the majority of previous printings. A checklist of the various editions appeared in Notes and Queries (4th s., xi, March 1, 1873), and it does not include this title in any 18th century edition. The ESTC records only two copies (NLS and Liverpool) of this edition, and no others of this title. Nice copies in a contemp. binding.. (Inventory #: 1124)