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Scarce early American general knowledge book designed for use at the university level or with advanced pupils. It is fascinating to see subject matters stressed for the time period. Topics include the following: Christianity, English, Latin, Greek, Eloquence, World History, Philosophy and Logic, Math, Natural History, Refined Taste, Agriculture, Commerce, Foreign Travel, and Professions. Condition: Good. Complete. BOOK INFO Published in Philadelphia in 1812 by P. Byrne. First American edition, based on the fourth British edition. Two volumes in one, as published. In contemporary full mottled sheep; spine with a few gilt rules and a gilt-lettered burgundy spine label. All board edges tooled in blind. Octavo, 8" x 4 3/4". Collated and complete, less the front and rear blank: xii, 257, [1]; [ii], 219, [1]. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Henry Kett (1761 - 1825) was a versatile English clergyman, academic and writer. He attended Trinity College, Oxford, beginning in 1777, graduating with a B.A. in 1780, M.A. in 1783, and a B.D. 1793. He was elected as a fellow in 1784, retaining his fellowship until 1824. He first published Elements of General Knowledge in 1802 in London, based on a course of lectures which he had read to his pupils during the previous twelve years at Oxford. It was republished numerous times. CONDITION REPORT The book is in Good condition. Exterior and binding are quite well preserved for a 200-year-old+ book. Firm hinges and joints, a few pages a little loose. Impressively light rubbing to the leather given the age. Spine a bit sun darkened and dry with cracking. Slightly bumped corners. Interior: Both the front and rear blank were removed but not replaced. Pages are browned and heavily oxidized (a common sight for early American printings given the poor paper quality generally used). Occasional scattered foxing. Insect nibbling to bottom margins of multiple leaves, not affecting text. One page misnumbered by the printer. One page with a dime-sized hole along foot of page, affecting a footnote word. Signs of handling like creases, an occasional smudge or bent corner. Rear pastedown paper peeling back along head of gutter a bit. All in all, a scarce early American university-level textbook covering a broad range of educational topics. Contemporary full mottled sheep.
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