The Pilgrim's Progress

The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan

London: Printed by A.W. for W. Johnston, at the Golden-Ball, in St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1755.

VERY RARE twenty-ninth edition of one of the most significant works of religious English literature, bound with a twenty-first edition of its second part, a sixteenth edition of its third part, and The Life and Death of Mr. John Bunyan. Measures 15 x 9 cm.

An interesting early provenance, as can be seen from the names penned to the rear and the front of the book. The book seems to have first belonged to the Honourable Henry Ingram, (presumably) 7th Viscount of Irvine, followed by Thomas and Edward Ingram (as per previous owners' names penned to rear paste-down). Ownership was later, in January 1776, passed on to the Patient family (John Patient and then William Patient Carrington in 1831), as per previous owners' names penned to front FEP.

Notes

Bunyan, John. The Pilgrim's Progress from this World to that which is to Come: Delivered under the Similitude of a Dream: Wherein is Discover'd the Manner of his Setting out, His Dangerous Journey, and Safe Arrival at the Desired Country. The Nine and Twentieth Edition, with Additions of New Cuts. [London: Printed by A. W. for W. Johnston, at the Golden-Ball, in St. Paul's-Church-Yard. 1755]. Title page to Part I, 205 numbered pages and an advert leaf on verso of final page,

bound with

Bunyan, John. The Pilgrim's Progress from this World to That which is to Come: The Second Part. Deliver'd under the Similitude of a Dream: Wherein is set forth The Manner of the Setting out of Christian's Wife and Children; their Dangerous Journey, and Safe Arrival at the Desired Country. The Twenty-First Edition, with the Addition of Five Cuts. Note, the Third Part, suggested to be J. Bunyan, is an Imposter. [Printed by A. W. for W. Johnston, at the Golden-Ball, in St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1755]. Part II contains 179 numbered pages and advert leaf and final blank.

bound with

Bunyan, John. The Pilgrim's Progress from This World, to That which is to Come: The Third Part. Delivered under the Similitude of a Dream; Shewing the Several Difficulties and Dangers he met with, and the many Victories he obtained over the World, the Flesh, and the Devil. Together with His happy Arrival at the Celestial City, and the Glory and Joy he found to his Eternal Comfort. To which is added, The Life and Death of John Bunyan, Author of [The First and Second Parts; Compleating the Whole Progress.] . The Sixteenth Edition. [London. Printed for C. Hitch, and L. Hawes, at the Red-Lion, in Pater-noster-Row. 1755]. 119 + 30pp. Part III contains 119 numbered pages + 30 numbered pages + 2 unnumbered pages + 4 pages of publishers' adverts. 

Condition

Bound in full, brown calf and showing, throughout, restoration work. Respined on original leather with four raised bands, detailed motifs, black morocco label lettered in gilt (Pilgrim's Progress) and publishing year to foot of spine (1755). Shows overall wear to binding. Significant bumping and wear to corners. Very light cracking to hinges, but binding nice and tight. New endpapers to front, originals to rear. Pages significantly tanned, a little marking throughout and some skilled repairs with paper repair tape to a handful of pages, in most cases allowing for full text legibility (please see one of the photo for the worst example of repair). A few penciled highlights throughout which could be erased, but we preferred not to interfere with the authenticity and history of this rather special book.

Period ownership inscriptions to verso frontispiece, "William Patient His Book Jan 17th 1776" and "John Patient Carrington 1831", and same to original rear paste-down, "Henry Ingram His Book / Thomas Ingram His Book / Edward Ingram His".

A very rare and unique collection of early printings of this significant work.