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The Pantheon, Representing the Fabulous Histories of the Heathen Gods, and Most Illustrious Heroes, Andrew Tooke â " 1781 Revised Edition Publication: London, C. Bathurst, J.F. and C. Rivington, B. Law, G. Keith, G. Robinson, and R. Baldwin, 1781 Formatting: 8vo, pp. [vi], 360. Condition Report: Very Good. The book is bound in quarter leather over marbled boards. The spine features gilt-tooled banding, floral motifs, and the title "TOOKES PANTHEON" alongside the date "LONDON 1781" at the base. The binding remains structurally sound, though it exhibits shelf-wear. There is rubbing to the marbled paper boards, bumping to the corners, and noticeable chipping with leather loss at the head of the spine. The upper and lower joints show some cracking and peeling but remain secure. Internally, the text block is generally well-preserved. There is typical age-toning, scattered foxing, and minor spotting throughout, but the text and visible copperplate engravings remain dark and legible. Catalogue Note: This 1781 edition of Andrew Tooke's The Pantheon stands as a revised and amended printing of a highly successful 18th-century schoolbook. Originally penned in Latin by the French Jesuit François Pomey, the work was famously translated and adapted by Tooke, whose name ultimately became entirely synonymous with the text in the English-speaking world. This particular printing is explicitly noted as being "Illustrated with new Copper Cuts of the several Deities". Complete with 28 detailed copper-plate engravings, these illustrations serve to visually reinforce the mythological lessons within. Complete, illustrated copies of 18th-century school texts are somewhat scarce on the open market, as they were typically subjected to heavy use and destruction by students. For over a century, The Pantheon served as the quintessential gateway to classical mythology for generations of English schoolchildren. Through an engaging dialogue format, Andrew Tooke demystifies the complex web of the Greek and Roman pantheons, recounting the fabulous histories, virtues, and vices of the ancient deities and illustrious heroes. A fascinating artifact of 18th-century pedagogy, this book not only provides a comprehensive guide to classical myths but also offers a window into the classical education that shaped the literary and cultural minds of Georgian Britain.
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