2 Vols The Eccentric Mirror: Reflecting a Faithful and Interesting Delineation of Male and Female Characters, Ancient and Modern

G. H. Wilson

Published by James Cundee 1806-1807, London, 1806

About this Item

Two volumes of this curious illustrated Regency compendium of extraordinary characters, featuring figures deemed to have lived beyond the "ordinary laws of nature." In a contemporary calf binding, rebacked with later brown cloth. Endpapers renewed.Volumes I and II of a four-volume set.Volume I is illustrated with an extra engraved title page and eleven portrait plates; the frontispiece of Daniel Lambert has been removed from its usual position and affixed to the front pastedown. Volume II is illustrated with a frontispiece, an extra engraved title page, and eleven portrait plates. Collated, complete.A popular collection of biographical sketches of unusual and extraordinary individuals, both historical and contemporary, presenting figures distinguished by physical peculiarity or eccentric habits, and remarkable for what the work terms their "extraordinary deviation from the general laws of nature."Figures in Volume I include Daniel Lambert, famed for his exceptional size; Joseph Boruwlaski, the celebrated Polish dwarf; Charles Price, the "millionaire miser"; and Victor, the "Savage of Aveyron," a feral child discovered in rural France.Volume II includes Henry Jenkins, reputed for extraordinary longevity; Thomas Anello (Masaniello), leader of the Neapolitan revolt of 1647; Jane Shore, the mistress of Edward IV; and Bampfylde Moore Carew, the self-styled "King of the Beggars," among others. In a contemporary calf binding, rebacked with later brown cloth.Endpapers renewed.Externally, sound. Rubbing and bumping to extremities resulting in loss to contemporary calf. The odd mark to boards. Frontispiece of volume I affixed to the front paste down. Slight red marking to front endpapers of volume I. Internally, firmly bound. Pages generally bright, if typically age toned. The odd spot and handling mark, heavier to first and last few leaves. One or two closed tears to fore edges of the odd page, notably to plate of Thomas Day in volume II, with tear slightly affecting the image, with one spot small of ink staining to lower fore edge. Good.

Seller Inventory # 1006H21

Bibliographic Details

• Title: 2 Vols The Eccentric Mirror: Reflecting a Faithful and Interesting Delineation of Male and Female Characters, Ancient and Modern
• Publisher: James Cundee 1806-1807, London
• Publication Date: 1806
• Binding: Leather
• Illustrator: None Stated
• Condition: Good
• Book Type: book