Of the Imitation of Christ: in Three Books. Translated from the Latin of Thomas a Kempis by John Payne

Second American edition. 12mo. Second American edition of this classic work (following the exceedingly rare Sauer edition of 1749) but the first American edition of Payne's translation. Curiously, the DNB dates the first edition of Payne's translation as 1785. Includes "The Ingenious and Pious Author of The Amaranth, a Collection of Religious Poems, printed 1767, gives the following Account of Thomas à Kempis" preceding the text. This work was first translated into English by William Atkinson and published in 1503 by the Duchess of Beaufort. Evans 17992; Parson, Catholic Americana 45; Library Company of Philadelphia "First American Editions" 9 (for the earlier edition); not in Finotti. For the 1473 edition: PMM 13 Modern paneled calf, red morocco label. Some light browning and soiling of text but good copy.