The Poetical Works of John Trumbull, LL.D., John Trumbull — 1st Edition
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Publication: Hartford, Samuel G. Goodrich, 1820
Formatting: 8vo, pp. 177.
Condition Report: Poor. The original publisher's paper-covered boards are heavily worn, darkened, and scuffed, with the paper covering the spine almost entirely perished, leaving the underlying binding structure fully exposed. The boards are severely edge-worn, featuring rounded and frayed corners. The binding remains intact and holds the text block together, though it is fragile and unsophisticated. Internally, the pages exhibit moderate to heavy foxing and age-toning throughout, with occasional spotting and staining that is particularly noticeable around the margins and the engraved plates. Despite these significant external flaws, the text remains entirely legible, and the volume notably retains its half-title, engraved title page, frontispiece, and four plates, preserving the core of this early American imprint.
Catalogue Note: This is the first edition of the first volume (Volume I only) of Trumbull's poetical works, presented in its original, untrimmed publisher's boards.
The volume is notably illustrated with an engraved portrait frontispiece of the author, executed by Peter Maverick and A.B. Durand after a 1793 painting by John Trumbull, alongside an added engraved title page featuring an elaborate vignette, and four additional engraved plates.
While complete two-volume sets of this 1820 Hartford edition appear periodically on the open market, early nineteenth-century American imprints surviving in their original, fragile paper boards are increasingly scarce. Most extant copies have been entirely rebound or heavily restored over the last two centuries, making this an authentic, albeit highly worn, survival of early American publishing practices.
First published in 1820, this collection brings together the seminal verses of John Trumbull, a leading figure of the "Connecticut Wits". This first volume prominently features his celebrated mock-epic M'Fingal, a satirical masterpiece that vigorously lampooned British loyalists during the American Revolution. Blending sharp wit with classical epic conventions, Trumbull's verse captured the patriotic fervour of the era, securing his lasting place as a foundational voice in early American literature.
Book Condition: Poor
Book Authors: John Trumbull
Book Publisher: Samuel G. Goodrich
Book Language: English
Narrative Type: Antiquarian
Genre: Poetry
Book edition: First Edition
Signed: No
Book Pages: 177
Book Publication Year: 1820
Book Publication Date:
Book Binding: Hardcover
Illustrator: Peter Maverick & A.B. Durand
Book Series: N/A
Country/region of manufacture: Hartford, United States
Book Dimensions:
Book Condition Guide
| Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| New | A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage. |
| As New | The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years. |
| Fine | The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked. |
| Near Fine | The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition. |
| Very Good | The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present. |
| Good | A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy. |
| Fair | A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity. |
| Poor | A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance. |
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