1733 The Christian's Pattern Thomas à Kempis Twelfth Edition Original Calf
 
Bibliographical Details
Title: The Christian's Pattern: Or, A Treatise of the Imitation of Jesus Christ. In Four Books.
Author: Thomas à Kempis (c.1380–1471)
Translator and Contributor: Rendered into English, with Meditations and Prayers for Sick Persons, by George Stanhope, D.D., Dean of Canterbury and Chaplain in Ordinary to His Majesty.
Engraver: James Mynde ("J. Mynde Sculp.")
Printer: J. Ilive.
Publisher: Printed for J. J. and P. Knapton, R. Knaplock, D. Midwinter, B. Sprint, W. Innys and R. Manby, J. Osborn and T. Longman, R. Robinson, B. Barker, J. Hazard, T. Wotton, B. Motte, D. Brown and R. Williamson.
Place and Date of Publication: London, 1733
Edition: Twelfth Edition.
 
Historical & Bibliographical Context
The Imitation of Christ, traditionally attributed to Thomas à Kempis, is one of the most influential works of Christian devotional literature ever written. First composed in Latin during the early fifteenth century, it has inspired readers for centuries through its emphasis on humility, prayer and the imitation of Christ's life. After the Bible, it has often been regarded as one of the most widely read Christian devotional works.
 
This 1733 Twelfth Edition presents the text in four books together with George Stanhope's English translation and his Meditations and Prayers for Sick Persons. It also retains Stanhope's printed dedication to Mrs Julia Shalcrosse of Hatfield Woodhall, Hertfordshire, offering an engaging insight into eighteenth-century Anglican devotional life. Complete with all five engraved plates by James Mynde, this is an attractive surviving example of an important Georgian edition.
 
About the Author
Thomas à Kempis (c.1380–1471) was a German-Dutch canon regular whose The Imitation of Christ became one of Christianity's most influential devotional works and remains widely collected today.
 
About the Translator and Contributor
George Stanhope (1660–1728), Dean of Canterbury and Chaplain in Ordinary to the Crown, produced one of the best-known English translations of The Imitation of Christ. His translation and accompanying Meditations and Prayers for Sick Persons remained popular throughout the eighteenth century.
 
About the Engraver
The five engraved plates, including the frontispiece, are by James Mynde (1702–1771), an accomplished Georgian engraver. Their completeness enhances the book's collectability.
 
About the Printer
This edition was printed by Jacob Ilive (1705–1763), a London printer, publisher and bookseller. Although he produced a wide range of religious and literary works, Ilive later became one of the most controversial printers of the eighteenth century after being prosecuted and imprisoned for blasphemy in 1753 for publishing his own unorthodox theological writings. His imprint adds an additional point of historical interest to this Georgian edition.
 
Binding & Exterior
Retaining its original full calf binding over boards, this volume displays the character and craftsmanship expected of an early eighteenth-century devotional work. The spine is divided into six compartments by five raised bands and retains remnants of its original gilt title and decorative gilt tooling. The boards also preserve traces of their original gilt decorative borders, while the text block retains its original sprinkled edges.
The original binding is complete but structurally fragile. The front joint has split, leaving the front board attached principally by the original sewing supports, while the rear hinge also shows cracking. General age-related wear includes rubbing, edge wear, small losses and bumped corners. Despite these faults, the survival of the original Georgian calf binding greatly enhances the book's authenticity.
 
Interior Condition
Complete with the preface, contents, 339 pages of The Christian's Pattern and 45 pages of Meditations and Prayers for Sick Persons. All five engraved plates are present.
The pages are lightly toned and remain notably clean for a volume approaching 300 years old. The frontispiece and title page have several light marks, with occasional minor marks, light creases, tiny edge tears and a few small pinprick holes elsewhere, none of which affect the text or engravings. There are a small number of contemporary annotations to the title page, page 339 and the rear endpaper, together with faint traces of earlier writing beneath the front pastedown.
The hinges have weakened, particularly at the front, but the main text block remains firmly bound and complete. Although a few page numbers are incorrectly printed, the text follows in the correct sequence throughout, indicating an original printing error rather than missing leaves.
 
Physical Details
Pagination: Preface, contents, 339 pages, followed by 45 pages of Meditations and Prayers for Sick Persons.
Illustrations: Five full-page copperplate engravings by James Mynde, including the frontispiece. Complete.
Binding: Original full calf.
Page Edges: Original sprinkled edges.
Dimensions: Approximately 20.5 × 13 × 3.2 cm.
Weight: Approximately 532 g.
 
Collectability
Early eighteenth-century editions of The Christian's Pattern remain highly desirable among collectors of Georgian theology, Anglican devotional literature and early English printing. This example is particularly appealing for retaining its original calf binding, complete suite of James Mynde engravings, original sprinkled edges and complete text. Despite the structural weakness to the binding, it survives as an authentic and historically significant devotional work that has endured for nearly three centuries.