A Collection of Epitaphs and Inscriptions, ancient and modern; distinguished either for their wit, humour, and singularity; elegance of composition; morality of sentiment, or celebrity of character. Carefully selected from preceding publications including many never before printed.

(CALDWALL, Thomas)

Published by Printed for Lackington, Allen, and Co., Temple of the Muses, Finsbury Square. 1802, 1802

About this Item

[4], iv, 416pp, half-title. 8vo. Contemporary half calf, red morocco label, marbled boards; upper joint cracked & worn, wear to head of spine & corners, paper rather browned, some pencil marks to rear blank, early name C. Smart on titlepage. A reissue, with a different titlepage and without the portrait, of A Select Collection of Ancient and Modern Epitaphs. Collected by Thomas Caldwall, 1796. 'The first book-length epitaph anthology was John Weever's Ancient Funeral Monuments published in 1633. Weever's text set the precedent for the anthologies that followed, and by the eighteenth century, there appeared a steady line of volumes devoted solely to the transcription of epitaphs: John Le Neve's Monumenta Anglicana (published in 1719); William Toldervey's Select Epitaphs (published in 1754); Thomas Webb's New Select Collection of Epitaphs (published in 1775) and Thomas Caldwell's Select Collection of Ancient and Modern Epitaphs and Inscriptions (two editions, published in 1796 and 1802). These collections, modelled after Weever's, were compiled to 'preserve memory from oblivion', to record the information inscribed on the tombs in England's churches and churchyards.' ref: Paul Vita. In Keeping with Modern Views: publishing epitaphs in the nineteenth century. 1999.

Seller Inventory # 95527

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A Collection of Epitaphs and Inscriptions, ancient and modern; distinguished either for their wit, humour, and singularity; elegance of composition; morality of sentiment, or celebrity of character. Carefully selected from preceding publications including many never before printed.
• Publisher: Printed for Lackington, Allen, and Co., Temple of the Muses, Finsbury Square. 1802
• Publication Date: 1802
• Binding: Hardcover