The Club; In A Dialogue Between Father And Son

[London: Printed For The Proprietor By John Johnson; and sold by Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme And Brown…], 1817., 1817. 8vo. pp. 2 p.l., x, [8], 95, [1]. engraved frontis. portrait of Pucke by T.Bragg after an original portrait by Vertue. numerous wood engravings in the text by R.Branston, J.Thompson, W.Hughes & others after designs by John Thurston. contemporary red morocco (bit rubbed, dampstain to outer edge of upper cover, some light spotting – a little heavier on frontis. & title, small paper adhesion in upper margin on one page). Limited edition of 735 copies, this one of 500 on regular or small paper. Puckle’s collection of character sketches was originally published in 1711. "A young man is represented by the author as having met one night at a friend’s club…twenty-five typical personages, including an antiquary, buffoon, critic, quack, rake, and usurer, and he gives next morning a sprightly description of each of his companions to his father, who interposes much sententious moralizing. The work exhibits shrewd observation, but the moral reflections are tedious, and the book’s long lease of popularity seems to exceed it literary merits." (DNB) The present edition is charmingly illustrated after designs by John Thurston..