Twelve Sermons, William Cobbett — New Edition

£82.50

Twelve Sermons, William Cobbett — New Edition

Name: Twelve Sermons, William Cobbett — New Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5038
Price: 82.50 GBP
Availability: InStock

Write Review

In stock

£82.50

Shipping is calculated at checkout.

Publication: London, William Cobbett, 1828

Formatting: 12mo, pp. 240.

Condition Report: Fair. The publisher’s original drab paper boards are heavily worn, with notable bumping to the extremities and significant surface marking. The original paper spine has largely perished, exhibiting heavy loss and stripping, leaving only faint, illegible fragments of the printed paper label. The binding, while worn, remains largely intact, though the joints are tender. Internally, the text block features untrimmed edges, with consistent age-related foxing and browning throughout, particularly affecting the preliminary leaves. An early ink ownership signature ('W. C. Roberts') is present to the front free endpaper. Despite these obvious structural flaws, the book remains a complete and legible reading copy, valued primarily for its scarcity and historically significant content.

Catalogue Note: This 1828 'New Edition' of William Cobbett's Twelve Sermons (first issued in parts between 1821 and 1822) was published by the author himself from his famous address at 183 Fleet Street. A prominent radical pamphleteer and journalist, Cobbett initially distributed these sermons as monthly tracts, leveraging the traditional pulpit format to deliver sharp, moralising critiques on the social and political vices of his day.

The volume is bound in the publisher's original, albeit heavily worn, drab paper boards, complete with untrimmed deckle edges; a standard, economical binding style of the period intended to be either kept as-is or sent to a private bindery by the purchaser. Complete, unsophisticated copies in original boards have become increasingly uncommon on the open market, as many were either rebound in contemporary calf or suffered heavy deterioration due to the fragile nature of the paper covers.

First published as a series of monthly tracts, Twelve Sermons reveals William Cobbett at his most morally indignant and rhetorically powerful. Diverging from conventional theological discourse, Cobbett repurposes the sermon format to launch blistering attacks on the societal ills and political corruptions of early 19th-century England. Tackling subjects ranging from hypocrisy, cruelty, and drunkenness to the rights of the poor and the tyranny of unjust judges, Cobbett’s prose is infused with the same fiery radicalism that defined his political journalism. This collection stands not only as a compelling moral manifesto but also as a fascinating window into the social struggles and fierce intellectual debates of the Georgian era, penned by one of its most formidable contrarians.

Book Condition: Fair

Book Authors: William Cobbett

Book Publisher: William Cobbett

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: Religion & Spirituality

Book edition:

Signed: No

Book Pages: 240

Book Publication Year: 1828

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardback

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

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.