Lot 34E email save

A Vindication... Native Simplicity of Going Naked.

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London: R. Griffiths, 1755. 8vo (212 x 140 mm). Later half green roan over marbled boards, spine lettered in gilt. Condition: light soiling and chipping; upper cover detached, binding rubbed. a fascinating 18th century erotic treatise calling for a return to the "simplicity of going naked." Adam Eden, clearly a pseudonym, puts forth the agenda that "The conduct of the ladies in appearing in public quite naked, from the top of the head, almost to the waist, discovering their neck, shoulders, breast, and part of their waist quite bare, and shortening their petticoats almost to the knees, sufficiently show their intention of returning to the original custom of going stark-naked ... " . The author goes on to note of the novels 'most in vogue among the Ladies, such as Pamela,, that, tho, the main design is to exciite to virtue, there are many amorous adventures interspersed, which were they to be told beforehand to the Ladies, they would not consistent with modesty read them over' (p.43). This example is an early issue with the date in Roman numerals and the price written out one-shilling.

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