Verses on the Death of Doctor Swift
Kevin F. Kelly, bookseller LLC

Verses on the Death of Doctor Swift

Regular price $650.00 $0.00

First Edinburgh and first octavo edition, the authoritative text.

 

[Swift, Jonathan]. Verses on the Death of Doctor Swift. Written by Himself: 1731. London [i.e. Edinburgh]: Printed for C. Bathurst, 1739. First edition thus. Octavo in fours, 22, [2 blank] pp. Disbound pamphlet with new sewing, light stain along left of title, subtle repair along rear blank, very good.


First Edinburgh and first octavo edition, improved from the corrupt folio text printed the same year. Swift had given a manuscript to Dr. William King for the first publication in London; but was disappointed to put it mildly: much was cut out and 61 lines from “Life and Character” of 1733 were added. A correct text was given to Faulkner in Dublin and the authoritative text is offered here.