TRIVIA: or, the Art of Walking the Streets of London.
Pp. [iv]+80+[12](index), engraved title page vignette and decorative head & tailpieces, index; demy 8vo; early full calf, spine decorated in gilt compartments between raised bands, with gilt lettered black morocco title label, boards with gilt rule border, small corner ornaments and gilt edges, the joints starting and spine extremities a trifle chipped, boards slightly rubbed, corner tips repaired; all edges sprinkled red; marbled endpapers; armorial bookplate of Alfred C. Hooper on upper pastedown, the hinges strengthened, a little light foxing; printed for Bernard Lintott, London, [1716]. First edition. ESTC T13930; Rothschild 914. *Large paper copy, with the crossed-key vignette and the imprint 'at the Cross-Keys between the Temple Gates in Fleet Street' on the title page, plus the engraved street scene of a woman with an umbrella, a coach, watchman, scavengers and pedestrians, as the first headpiece. Trivia was published on January 26, 1716, in an ordinary edition priced at one and sixpence, and 250 large paper copies subscribed for by friends and patrons of the poet and priced at a guinea. Gay's satirical verse was modelled on Virgil's Georgics, transported to the streets of Hanoverian London. (The title is from the Latin 'trivium', meaning 'crossroads'). The poem contains descriptions of London and includes advice to 'prudent walkers' warning 'those who are unacquainted with the town' against dangers such as pickpockets, whores and runaway carts. Item #168516
Price: $4,000.00