The History of the Great Plague in London, in the Year 1665. Containing, Observations and Memorials of the Most Remarkable Occurrences, Both Public and Private, that Happened During that Dreadful Period. By a Citizen, who Lived the Whole Time in London. To which is Added, a Journal of the Plague at Marseilles, in the Year 1720.
London: Printed for, and sold by F. and J. Noble... 1754. Second edition. 8vo. (iii-iv), 376 pp., bound without the initial advertisement leaf. 19th century half calf over marbled boards, gilt lettered label to one panel, armorial bookplate of Henry Fox Bristowe to the front pastedown. Repair to the head of the upper joint, some dampstaining to the title page with a small old paper repair on the verso fixing a flaw in a blank area, occasional foxing within, otherwise very good. Defoe's fictional account of the Great Plague of 1665 which he witnessed as young child, using a wealth of contemporary sources to paint a vivid but also factually accurate account. First issued under the more commonly known title "A Journal of the Plague Year" in 1722, these first two editions were published anonymously and neither is common. This edition benefits from the addition of the description of the plague in Marseilles, published anonymously in France in 1721 under the title "Journal Abrégé de ce qui s'est Passé en la Ville de Marseille, depuis qu'elle est Affligée de la Contagion" with an English translation published in London the same year. Item #51061
Price: £1,250.00