Europe, London, England, 1743. From the pen of one Samuel Silence, a leather-bound copy of the first edition of "The Foundling Hospital for Wit - Parts I-IV" printed in London by the radical bookseller John Almon for G. Lion near Ludgate in 1743. This tome of approximately 260 pages has been described as one of the most stupendous and popular, yet somehow overlooked collections of British satire from the mid-18th century. The informative sub-title reads as follows, "Intended for the reception and preservation of such brats of wit and humour, whose parents chose to drop them. Containing all the satires, odes, ballads, epigrams etc. that have been wrote since the change of the ministry, many of which have never before been printed." As such the title and concept for this book were inspired by the Foundling Hospital in London which received babies anonymously from parents who were unable or unwilling to raise them. This book is an important political commentary and entertaining satirical work. This is a single volume of the first edition. Multiple volume editions followed the original single volume. A rare find as few copies have survived. If it were in pristine condition, we would have to add another zero to the price! 8.00"L x 5.50"W (20.32 L x 13.97 W cm)

Provenance: Ex-Private Dodge collection, acquired around 1978.

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Although the front and back covers have separated from the spine, they are intact and all the pages of this book have survived. While not in the best condition, a true bibliophile could take it to a "book hospital" for a bit of restoration.