The History of Pompey The Litle: Or, The Life and Adventures of a Lap-Dog

London: M.Cooper, 1751. First. Half-Leather. The first edition. Printed for M. Cooper at The Globe in Paternoster Row. 272 pps. with frontispiece engraving of the spaniel Pompey The Little by Boitard. The first book about spaniels, this work was a satirical look at British society, both high and low, as seen through the eyes of the dog of the title. Despite the author's obscurity, this work was a great and immediate success, going to eight printings in the 18th century alone. The opening chapter is "A Panegyric Upon Dogs..." and the episodes which follow as our little hero observes life include "Our Hero Becomes a Dog of the Town and Shines in High-Life", "The Genealogy of a Cat and Other Odd Matters...", "The History of a Modish Marriage; the Description of a Coffee-House...", "Our Hero Falls Into Great Misfortune", "Showing the Ill Effects of Ladies having the Vapours", "Our Hero goes to the University of Cambridge", and so forth. Handsomely rebound in brown half calf over marbled paper covered boards, spine stamped in gilt and with black leather spine label lettered in gilt. Text block is tight, clean and sound. A lovely copy and quite scarce in the first edition. 16mo - over 5¾" - 6¾" tall. Fine. Item #F423

Price: $1,000.00

See all items in Animals
See all items by