A Description of Millenium Hall And the Country Adjacent Together With Characters of the Inhabitants and Such Historical Anecdotes and Reflections As May Excite in the Reader Proper Sentiments of Humanity, and lead the Mind to the Love of Virtue

Sarah Scott

Published by J Newbery, London, 1862

About this Item

A very scarce first edition of this significant and popular novel. Scarce and only comes up at auction every ten years or so. This work is invariably browned and foxed and often damaged as it was widely read at the time and this particular copy is rather better than most. Could do with a sympathetic rebind but would make a very good copy once done. Published anonymously, authorship was often considered to be Oliver Goldsmith. However, scholars now agree the revised the text for the second edition and the true author is Sarah Scott. With an illustrated frontispiece. Bound with one leaf of publisher's advertisements to the rear. Sarah Scott was an English novelist, translator, social reformer and member of the Bluestockings. A Description of Millenium Hall is her most famous work. The novel is set in a utopian community of women devoted to artistic pursuits and education, Christian virtues and philanthropy. It provided a fictional example of the ideals of the bluestocking circle. It was extremely popular upon initial publication, going through four editions by 1778. An interest in this novel has been revived in the 21st century among feminist literary scholars. Direct from the library of the late Hugh Selbourne MD (1906-1973) a noted book collector and diarist. In a full calf binding. Externally, worn. Boards, extremities and spine are all rubbed. Loss to head and tail of spine. Front board has detached but present. Rear joint is starting but firm with the hinge tender with cords showing. Prior owner's inscription to recto of front endpaper and to recto of front blank. Selbourne library stamp to verso of title page. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are age-toned with instances of scattered spots throughout. Good Only.

Seller Inventory # EXP4-B-7

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A Description of Millenium Hall And the Country Adjacent Together With Characters of the Inhabitants and Such Historical Anecdotes and Reflections As May Excite in the Reader Proper Sentiments of Humanity, and lead the Mind to the Love of Virtue
• Publisher: J Newbery, London
• Publication Date: 1862
• Binding: Leather
• Illustrator: None
• Edition: First edition.
• Condition: Good Only
• Book Type: book