BRISTOLIAN MUNICIPAL ABSTRACT, QUOTING A FORGED VERSE FROM CHATTERTON
Bristol: an abstract of the city charter. Containing the institution of mayors, recorders, sheriffs, town clerks, and all other officers whatsoever: as also a common council. To which is added, by way of Appendix, a brief historical account of the antient Lords, Constables, & Wardens of Bristol Castle.
Bristol.
Printed for the Editor, and sold by T. Smart.., 1792.
First edition.
8vo.
[3]-64pp. Without half-title. Uncut, in twentieth-century cloth boards, lettered in gilt. Some marking to upper board. Title a trifle marked, else a fine, unpressed copy.
The first edition of a scarce abstract of Bristol's municipal charter, granted by Lord Chancellor Cowper in the reign of Queen Anne, with a lengthy appendix providing a succinct historical account of Bristol Castle and the feudal governance of the region. The Editor, which the imprint notes this work was 'printed for', remains stubbornly anonymous, but was clearly a learned scholar of Bristolian history who provided sometimes lengthy footnotes (even referencing a verse, the 'Song to Ella', from the 'justly celebrated Rowley', which would later prove to be out of Chatterton's hoax canon).
ESTC locates copies at only three British libraries, and none elsewhere: BL, National Library of Wales and Oxford.
£ 250.00
Antiquates Ref: 22065
ESTC locates copies at only three British libraries, and none elsewhere: BL, National Library of Wales and Oxford.
