The Complaint; or, Night Thoughts, on Life, Death, and Immortality

The Complaint; or, Night Thoughts, on Life, Death, and Immortality, by Dr Edward Young, L. L. D. With the life of the author. London: Printed for Thomas Tegg, [1819]. Very early edition from 1819. Sized 18 x 11cm. Pp. xi, 312. A scarce example to be found in its original binding. From the personal library of Reginald J. Saville. 

A beautiful, small edition, now two centuries' old, of Edward Young's musings on death over a series of nine "nights" in which he ponders the loss of his wife and friends, and laments human frailties. Very well preserved.

Condition

Original hardback paper binding with printed text to front board and spine, and publisher's advertisements to rear board. The binding is age-worn and the spine paper is chipped with sporadic losses. Corners bumped and worn. The covers are lightly rubbed, largely with handling over time, however not-at-all unsightly. Deckled edges, ever-so-lightly warped. Ex-libris bookplate belonging to the personal library of Reginald J. Saville and library identification label (Religion. N 632). No other inscriptions or markings. Significant foxing to pages, mostly to extremities. Pages still tightly bound, but overall fragile and should be treated with the care it deserves. Wrapped in brown parchment paper which must have been what kept the book in such good condition for age. A very rare example to be found with its original binding in similar condition. Overall, for a book that is over two centuries' old, this remains a very attractive, clean and tight example that is complete and sound. A very lovely and pleasing age patina and a book in nice, antiquarian condition.