THE ECONOMY OF HUMAN LIFE

London: Vernor, Hood, and Sharpe, et al., 1810. 165 x 115 mm. (6 1/2 x 4"). 144 pp.
EXTREMELY PRETTY CONTEMPORARY RED STRAIGHT-GRAIN MOROCCO, ELABORATELY DECORATED IN GILT AND BLIND, covers with wide frame of closely spaced interlocking drawer handle tools in blind, the frame enclosing a large central panel with very densely gilt cornerpieces featuring foliate sprays and much stippling; gilt-decorated raised bands, spine panels with scrolling gilt lozenge centerpiece and intricate blind elaboration, all edges gilt. With 32 charming woodcuts in the text, engraved by Austin and Hole after Craig. Front pastedown with bookplate of W. Giffard Lenfestey. ◆Spine uniformly faded to a rose color, first three gatherings with sprinkled foxing, isolated minor spots in the text (a few more on last two leaves), but still a very appealing copy, the leaves fresh, and the charming binding with bright covers and next to no wear.

Purportedly a series of translations from an ancient Indian manuscript, these short and often inspirational pieces, first printed in 1750, are presented in a style similar to the biblical book of Proverbs. Although the book was originally attributed to Robert Dodsley, the first part of it is now thought to have been the work of Lord Chesterfield (some or all of the second part may have been written by Mrs. Teresia Constantia Phillips). According to Bryant, our artist, William Marshall Craig, "was painter in water-colours to the Queen, and miniature painter to the Duke and Duchess of York"; the long-lived engraver William Austin died at 99 in 1820. Although this work in some edition or another can be obtained fairly easily, one would have difficulty finding a copy in a contemporary binding as charming and pretty as the one offered here..