Beschreibung:

MORRIS, Corbyn (1710-1779)]. Observations on the Past Growth and Present State of the City of London . London: for the author, 1751. 2° (412 x 264mm). 3 numbered letterpress tables (of 5?) on 7 sheets and 'Bill of Weddings' etc. (Excision from title margin, some spotting.) Contemporary mottled calf, gilt rule to sides and spine (spine label mostly lacking, small losses near spine head, front joint starting, extremities rubbed). Provenance : 'Captain Bernard ab Authore C.M.' (presentation inscription on title).
MORRIS, Corbyn (1710-1779)]. Observations on the Past Growth and Present State of the City of London . London: for the author, 1751. 2° (412 x 264mm). 3 numbered letterpress tables (of 5?) on 7 sheets and 'Bill of Weddings' etc. (Excision from title margin, some spotting.) Contemporary mottled calf, gilt rule to sides and spine (spine label mostly lacking, small losses near spine head, front joint starting, extremities rubbed). Provenance : 'Captain Bernard ab Authore C.M.' (presentation inscription on title). FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY , with a 3-page manuscript transcription, almost certainly in Morris's hand, of 'The Freeholder's Ditty, To The Tune of Moggy Lauder', and a note at end stating that the printer of the ballad was 'Jack Mahon at the sign of the three Messengers in Little Britain August 1756'. Morris's transcription of this satirical ballad on George II suggests either commendation or his possible authorship. Its pro-parliamentarian spirit certainly echoes the work which first attracted notice to Morris, A Letter from a Bystander to a Member of Parliament (1741), a staunch defence of Walpole against the power of the crown. His book on population is rare. ABPC records one sale in the past 35 years (Bloomsbury, 28 October 1999, lot 173; imperfect). Goldsmiths' 8604; Higgs 156 (calling for 5 tables).