The Journal of the Plague in London

This is an antique copy of "The Journal of the Plague in London" by Daniel Defoe. 1895; Maynard, Merrill & Co.; New York. There is a frontispiece portrait of Defoe. With an Introduction and "Critical Opinions" section at the front, and a "Notes" section at the back. There is an 8-page publisher's catalog at the back, and publisher's advertisements on the end papers. The book is a vivid, fictionalized first-hand account of the Great Plague in London in 1665. It is written from the perspective of a fictional narrator identified only by the initials "H.F.," an unmarried saddler who decides to stay in London rather than flee to the countryside like many of his wealthy neighbors. Defoe was only about five years old when the actual plague struck in 1665. To write the book decades later, he relied heavily on extensive research, including official parish records, mortality statistics, and neighborhood public health orders. The result is so highly detailed and realistic that it reads like genuine, eyewitness investigative journalism. The book measures 6 3/4" tall x 4 3/4" wide. Condition: Some very light soiling on the covers and spine. Tight binding with no loose pages. Both covers are firmly attached. The text pages are clean with the exception of a small stain at the top of pages 48 & 49, and 3 words underlined in pencil and a word written in pencil of the outer margin of pages 1. Very light foxing to the end papers and pastedowns. Overall the book is in Good+ condition.…