$1,600
Lemoine, Henry and James Caulfield (eds. ). The Eccentric Magazine; or, Lives and Portraits of Remarkable Characters, Vols. I – II. London: G. Smeeton, St. Martin’s Lane, Charing Cross, 1812 – 14. Two volumes in one. Old one-third brown calf, morocco title label in gilt. First volume illustrated with engraved portrait plates, including Jeffrey Hudson, “the most famous English dwarf,” Francis Battalia, “the Stone Eater,” Buckhorse, “denominated for his extreme Ugliness,” and other eccentrics including healers, a man of extreme old age, and a rope dancer. Benjamin Franklin profiled, with an engraved portrait, in the second volume. 8vo. Irregular pagination throughout; first volume: 38 leaves, p. 49 – 280 (lacking pp. 123 – 130); second volume: p. 1 – 71 [72], plus nine portrait plates. Light or mild foxing; a few leaves chipped, but generally good. Rare. An itinerant bookseller, pamphleteer, and translator, Lemoine (1756 – 1812) is credited with starting The Conjuror’s Magazine (1792 – 94), which Toole Stott calls “the first periodical known to include conjuring” (179). The Eccentric Magazine was his final project; in the preface, the publisher notes that Lemoine was “blessed with an education and abilities of the most superior order,” but also “unfortunately too eccentric.”
Auctioneer:
Potter & Potter
Date:
2015-10-31
