SMEDLEY, Edward Erin. A Geographical and Descriptive Poem. Part I-[II]. London, Printed by Hamblin and Seyfang for the Author; And sold by W. Ginger, 1810.
Large 8vo. Late 19th-century half-calf over drab boards, spine with raised bands and lettered in gilt, coat-of-arms stamped in blind onto both covers; pp. [viii], 16, 63, [24], folding engraved and hand-coloured map, especially commissioned for the book as frontispiece, engraved and wood-engraved vignettes, printed in large type with wide spacing; hinges a bit weakened but cords holding firm, light offsetting from endpapers and map, otherwise a very good copy of a scarce publication.
First edition of this geographical poem on Ireland by Rev. Edward Smedley (d. 1825), Rector at Powderham, Devon, a publication applauded on publication as 'the first specimen of a local and descriptive poem on Ireland' (British Critic) and as thus favourably compared to Drayton's Polyolbion.
#2111605