An Essay in Praise of Women: Or, A Looking-glass for Ladies to See Their Perfections In.
"Madam, you inrich the very cloaths and jewels you wear! You brighten all the Hemisphere about you, like the dazling sun in its full meridian!": Exceptionally rare first edition of James Bland's An Essay in Praise of Women
An Essay in Praise of Women: Or, A Looking-glass for Ladies to See Their Perfections In.
BLAND, James.
$40,000.00
Item Number: 139649
London: Printed for the Author, and Sold by J. Batley, 1733.
First edition of the English physician’s immensely popular early 18th century essay. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf with a burgundy morocco spine label lettered in gilt, gilt ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, elaborate woodcut initials, headpieces and tailpieces. There were two issues of the first edition of Bland’s Essay published in 1733, one sold by J. Batley adn the other by J. Roberts. Both issues are scarce, with no copies appearing in auction records. The work proved so popular upon publication in 1733 that a second edition was published in 1735 and a third in 1767. In good condition with an ownership inscription and neat errata throughout in a contemporary hand. Exceptionally rare, with no copies traced in auction records and only one other copy cited in North America at Duke University.
