London (1790, first edition)
John Wallis's abridgment of Thomas Pennant's Of London, with four plates
Author
Publisher
Printing Details
First edition. Hardback. Half-leather with marbled paper covered boards. Contrasting title label to spine. 18 × 10.5cm, 228pp.
Not signed but with two previous owner's bookplates. Edward Goulbourn Esq to the front pastedown, and George Moffatt to the ffep. Both men were politicians.
Full title: London; or, an abridgment of the celebrated Mr. Pennant's description of the British capital, and its environs. Containing, An accurate, succinct, and interesting Account Of the most memorable Revolutions in Politics, Historical Events, Treasons, Fires, Public Executions, Remarkable Murders, and singular Robberies. Critical Observations on the public Buildings; a Review of their History; and a candid Examination of their Perfections and Defects. To which are prefixed, Notes, Additions, and Observations; and four capital plates.
John Wallis's abridgment of Thomas Pennant's Some Account of London, published in the same year, covering all the major events in London's history, its architecture, and as the title suggests, its murders, treasons, and executions... Pennant's book was quarto, this abridgment was much smaller and designed to be a portable copy.
It is illustrated with four plates, all of which are present. 1. A exact section of St Pauls, 2. A view of Lambeth House from the River Thames, 3. A view of Westminster Hall and the Abbey in St James'es Parke, and 4. Ichnographic Plan of St Paul's Cathedral.
Condition
Good condition for age. The leather is rubbed and bumped, and the plates are foxed, not particularly heavily but covering a sizeable area. The plan of St Paul's has some wear to the bottom edge of the plate. The main body of text is in good clean condition, occasional and inoffensive marginal mark in pencil, and some offsetting where a paper item has been used as a bookmark. Light wear to hinges but the inner binding is secure.
Books are currently zero-rated for duty (as of April 2026), so the price shown is the price you pay.
Price
£120.00
