The seasons by James Thomson; with new and original notes embellished with sixteen elegant engravings designed by C. Ansell and engraved by A. Birrell, to which is prefixed the life of the author.
London: Printed by A. Paris, published by J. Strachan, No. 67, Strand, W. Stewart, opposite York House Piccadilly, and P. Hill, Edinburgh., MDCCXCII
Physical Description
p. l., xv, [iii]-viii, 229, [15] p. : front. (port.) plates. ; 25.5 cm.
General Note
The title page is engraved
Life of James Thomson [by Samuel Johnson]": p. [i]-xv.
"Published as the Act directs, by J. Strachan, & W. S. Stewart, November 1st 1792" [at foot of frontispiece].
The work contains 16 plates, all except one published by J. Strachan and W. Stewart.
The frontispiece includes a portrait of James Thomson engraved by Andrew Birrell dated, November 1st 1792, possibly after a painting by John Patoun (active c.1730–1746). The “Life of James Thomson” is preceded by an engraving entitled “South East View of Ednam: The house where James Thomson, author of the Seasons, etc, was born” by Burrell after a design by H. Reed which carries no date or publishers name. The title page vignette and the remaining 13 illustrations are all engraved by Burrell after designs by Charles Ansell. Each poem, (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter), is preceded by an engraved title page and accompanied by two illustrations. The Hymn is preceded by one engraving. The Spring t.p. and illustrations are dated June 30th 1792; the Summer t.p. and illustrations are dated August 1st 1792; the Autumn t.p. and illustrations dated September 1st 1792 and Winter t.p. and illustrations dated October 1st 1792. The engraving illustrating the Hymn, like the frontispiece vignette, is dated November 1st 1792
Contents
Life of James Thomson [by Samuel Johnson] -- Ode on the Death of James Thomson by Mr. Collins -- Address to the Shade of James Thomson by Mr. Burns -- Spring Summer -- Autumn -- Winter -- Hymn
References
ESTC, T51947
S. Jung, James Thomson's The Seasons: print culture, and visual interpretation 1730-1842. (2015).
Binding Note
Leather bound with gilt lining. 5 raised bands on the spine with gilt lettering and decoration. Marbled endpapers.