Woman, or ida of athens.
London.
Printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, 1809.
First edition.
12mo.
In four volumes. xxviii, 223, [1]: [4], 272; [4], 192; [4], 290pp, [10]. With half-titles to each volume, exception Vol. I - as issued? Contemporary calf, rubbed, some cracking to surface of spines. Head of each title torn away, presumably to remove an ownership inscription. Half-title and title of vol IV detached, with some dog-earring. Marginal tear to K12, vol. I, marginal paper flaw to I12, vol. III, notes and advertisements to the end of vol. IV misbound, but all present.
Having made her name with the publication of the fiercely nationalistic novel The Wild Irish Girl in 1806, which highlighted the beauty and natural wealth of Ireland, Lady Morgan, nee Sydney Owenson (1776-1859) turned to matters feminist and Hellenistic with this novel. The romantic narrative follows the eponymous Ida, whose lover has fled Greece following an unsuccessful revolt against Ottoman rule, to late eighteenth-century London - where she travels in the company of a charming yet selfish English gentleman - before eventually reuniting with her initial beau.
Garside, Raven and Schowerling 1809:55.
£ 500.00
Antiquates Ref: 16831