The Bibliomania. First edition, with ALS mounted on front pastedown
Publisher Information: London: 1809.
With an Autograph Letter from Dibdin
Dibdin, Thomas Frognall (1776-1847). The bibliomania; or, book-madness; containing some account of the history, symptoms, and cure of this fatal disease . . . iv, 87pp. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees and Orme, 1809. 214 x 124 mm. 20th century half calf, marbled boards, a few tiny scuff-marks on back cover. Light toning but very good. With an Autograph Note signed by Dibdin, dated Jan. 25, [18]41, tipped to the front pastedown, mended with clear tape.
First Edition. “Dibdin’s Bibliomania, first published in 1809, is an anthem to the printed book, a warning to the unwary about the perils of obsessive book-collecting, and the confessions of a rabid book-collector” (Danckwerts, p. vii). Written in less than a month, The Bibliomania marks “the first full flowering of Dibdin’s love affair with books” (Windle and Pippin, p. 35); it had the effect of “producing much innocent mirth and exciting a general curiosity after rare and precious volumes” (Dibdin, Reminiscences of a Literary Life, p. 272). Dibdin, a clergyman and inveterate book-lover, was a lively and engaging writer whose works enjoyed great popularity and helped to stimulate enthusiasm for book collecting in the nineteenth century. The autograph note tipped into this copy reads: “Good Mr. Warren, If I had not been cheated of £37.10 that Monday you would have had your £5 with fresh boards last week. As it is please to wait until Saturday next. Always your obliged T. F. Dibdin.” Danckwerts, “Introduction,” in Dibdin, The Bibliomania (2004), pp. vii-xxxvi. Jackson, Thomas Frognall Dibdin: An Annotated List, 16. Windle and Pippin, Thomas Frognall Dibdin: A Bibliography, A11a.
Book Id: 42460
Price: $1,500.00