An Essay Upon the Life, Writings, and Character, of Dr. Jonathan Swift.
Language: English
Published by Printed for Charles Bathurst, London, England, 1755
- First Edition
- Hardcover
- Used
Seller: Markisons, County Kildare, Kildare, IrelandMarkisons
AbeBooks seller since July 30, 2026
Condition: Used - Fair
£ 660.71
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
First edition of this foundational, highly critical 18th-century biography of Jonathan Swift, written by his first cousin. An exceptional association copy boasting a spectacular, fully documented New England provenance chain linking back to the author’s family collection. Contemporary Readership: Signed and dated on the final text page by an early owner, "Augst 16th 1756," just one year after publication. The 1787 Auction: Boldly inscribed on the flyleaf by early American owner Daniel Jones, noting his purchase at a public auction: "Daniel Jones. Vandue 1787." The Swift Family Library: Features the highly desirable, scarce, printed "Swift Library" bookplate of Miss Elizabeth R. Swift of Milton, MA. Institutional Journey: Bookplate details a fascinating itinerary: bequeathed to Prof. George Morey Richardson (Harvard), gifted to the Framingham Town Library (partial original bookplate and 1909 ink stamps present), and repatriated by trustees to the Milton Public Library in 1904. The Vital Errata Leaf: Features the rare, original printed Errata sheet structurally intact at the rear facing page 52 of the appendix—a critical insert sheet frequently discarded by period binders. Genealogical Core (Page 53): Text body includes page 53 featuring the famous 1703 letter from Swift's mother, Abigail, proving the author’s intimate family access. Bibliographic Importance & Value Note: This copy is distinguished by the presence of the original, highly fugitive Errata leaf at the rear—an element frequently missing from standard trade copies. Furthermore, page 53 contains the critical 1703 letter from Swift’s mother, which serves as the genealogical foundation of the book. Combined with the unbroken 'Swift Library' family provenance, this copy represents an elite, structurally complete example of 18th-century literary history." Octavo. Complete with the final Appendix and the original Errata leaf (p. 53) facing page 52 of the appendix. Internal text block shows typical 18th-century toning, minor dampstaining to endpapers, and expected foxing, but pages remains crisp. Housed in its original 1755 full calf leather binding. The spine features five raised bands with gilt accent stamping and a surviving red morocco leather title label reading "SWIFT'S LIFE & WRITINGS". Boards show expected surface scuffing, edge chipping, and natural age patina, front board loose, but holding. Interior: Title page is loose/detached along with the previous page, but present and intact. Light age-toning, minor dampstaining to endpapers, and expected 18th-century foxing throughout. An irreplaceable, exhibition-worthy copy for any serious Anglo-Irish literature or Swiftiana collector. …
Seller Inventory # DT38VO
Bibliographic details
- Title
- An Essay Upon the Life, Writings, and Character, of Dr. Jonathan Swift.
- Author
- Dr. Jonathan Swift. Swift, Deane, Esq.,
- Publisher
- Printed for Charles Bathurst, London, England
- Publication year
- 1755
- Condition
- Fair
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Language
- English
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Printing
- 1st Printing
Markisons
County Kildare, Kildare, Ireland
AbeBooks seller since July 30, 2026
Shipping rates from Ireland to U.S.A.
| Item | 8 to 15 business days | 8 to 21 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 27.55 | £ 27.55 |
Payment methods
- Bank Draft
- Bank Wire Transfer
- Cash
- Cash on Delivery
- Direct Debit
- Money Order
- Paypal
Store description
The Architecture of Memory: An Immersive Guide to the World of Rare, Antiquarian, and Fine Books. The joy of a rare book is a quiet thrill that connects you instantly to history. It begins the moment you spot a unique spine on a high shelf. Pulling it down brings a wave of wonder: the scent of old paper, the texture of handmade sheets, and the heavy weight of centuries in your palms. The true happiness is the discovery. Holding an antiquarian volume means holding a physical survivor. You trace the ink of a long-dead owner or find a pressed flower left by a reader from generations ago. It is a direct link to the human hands that shaped our world. A screen gives you words, but a rare book gives you presence and history. It reminds you that you are the temporary guardian of human thought.…
Specialty
both fiction and non-fiction booksSeller's business information
Markisons
Ireland
Terms of sale
Markisons, Individual seller
Links to other selling outlets by me are below
http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/markisons
http://www.adverts.ie/member/442250
http://auction.catawiki.com/lotsfrom/markisons
Name; Mark Noone
Address; 1 Saint Johns Terrace, Upper John Street, Cork city, County Cork, Ireland
Phone number 35387 7428105
Email; marknoone2006@yahoo.co.uk
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Markisons, County Kildare, Ire, Ireland, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.
Shipping terms
Books are always very well packaged with bubble wrap and layers of cardboard, securely held inside and guarded against any knocks it might incur during postage. Books will be posted both insured and registered, via AnPost both nationally and internationally. The price of postage will be set individually on each book seperately, the weight of the book and potential value of the book will reflect on the postage.