c.1807 - The Poetical Works of Mark Akenside
Small Antiquarian LEATHER-BOUND Book, With Angel Frontispiece & Gilt Spine
Also includes: The Virtuoso – A Fragment, Never Before Published
Published by W. Suttaby, Stationers Court | Printed by C. Corrall, 38 Charing Cross
Features:
Elegant full calf leather binding with gilt decorative borders
Gilt spine detailing with title over a black background panel
Coloured all-edge pages with a distinctive mottled finish
Coloured endpapers and pastedowns
Frontispiece engraving of an angel
Includes The Life of the Author and a previously unpublished fragment
About the Author:
Mark Akenside (1721–1770) was an English poet and physician, renowned for his philosophical poem The Pleasures of the Imagination (1744), which brought him widespread acclaim. A man of science and verse, Akenside balanced a respected medical career with a deep intellectual engagement in poetry. He was a committed Whig, known for his classical learning and lofty style, and was also appointed physician to Queen Charlotte. His writing explores themes of beauty, imagination, and human consciousness, reflecting Enlightenment ideals with elegance and poetic force.
Condition:
Covers: In remarkably fine condition for its age, minimal wear to board edges and slight rubbing to head and foot of spine
Spine: Gilt decorations crisp and clear, leather rich in tone and texture
Pages: Light, even tanning, clean, crisp, and uncreased throughout
Binding: Tightly bound, with no loose pages
Markings: No pen or pencil writing inside; only the occasional small age mark
Defects: Tiny hole on page 235 (does not affect text); original ribbon bookmark is detached but present
Completeness: All 239 pages present and accounted for
Dimensions & Weight:
Size: Approx. 12.7 cm x 7.3 cm
Thickness: 1.6 cm
Weight: Approx. 100 grams
This is an exceptionally preserved, aesthetically beautiful, and intellectually significant edition, a rare and delicate volume ideal for collectors of miniature, poetic, or Enlightenment-era books.
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