Chrysal:; Or, the Adventures of a Guinea. Wherein are exhibited views of Several Striking Scenes; with Interesting Anecdotes, Of the most noted Persons in every Rank of Life, Through whose Hands it has passed. By an Adept.
London: C. Cooke, n.d. (ca.. 1810). Three vols., 12mos, 252, 252, 255pp; original textured cloth. Untrimmed; minor edge chips to a few pages; light dusting; covers faded toward edges. Item #205820
Illustrated throughout with inserted engravings after drawings by J. Burney and R. Corbould. This edition is undated, but the engravings bear dates ranging from 1797 to 1810. Johnstone's anonymous, satirical, roman-a-clef was a popular success upon its first publication in 1760. It was reprinted many times and launched a spate of imitators in the form of fictions narrated from the perspective of inanimate objects. In this case, a coin that circulates among a range of notable people and offers gossip about each.
Price: $350.00