[Rarebooks] fa: ANNA LETITIA AIKIN (MRS. BARBAULD) - POEMS 1773 (her first published book)

[Ardwight Chamberlain]

Listed now, auction ending Sunday, May 24. More details and images can be found at the URL below or by searching for the seller name arch_in_la.

http://tinyurl.com/mft586p

Thanks again,
Ardwight Chamberlain
L.A.

[Anna Letitia Aikin (Mrs. Barbauld):] Poems. London: Printed for Joseph Johnson, in St. Paul’s Church-Yard, MDCCLXXIII [1773]. First edition, second setting; 4to (27 cm) in early (sheepskin?) leather; vi,138p. ESTC T74944.

The first published book by the future Mrs. Barbauld, Poems was an immediate popular and critical success, going through at least three editions in the year of publication and launching a career that would extend well into the following century. This is the second setting of the first printing, with the errata on p. vi corrected and p. 2 misnumbered as p. 4. Binding well rubbed and worn, front board secured by some rather crude (but effective) later stitching; intermittent damp-staining throughout to the fore-edge of the text block, becoming more pronounced on the later leaves.

In addition to the opening poem, "Corsica," a politically daring hymn to freedom much admired by Mrs, Montagu and others, the collection includes many poems on less lofty themes: "The Groans of a Tankard; On the Backwardness of the Spring 1771; Verses Written in an Alcove; The Mouse's Petition, found in a Trap where he had been confin'd all Night (addressed 'To Doctor Priestley'); Verses on Mrs. Rowe;" and perhaps most significantly for this prolific and influential authoress, "On a Lady's Writing."