Rev. William Dodd — Thoughts in Prison and Other Miscellaneous Pieces

London, C. Cooke, 1796. Leather. Cooke's edition of William Dodd's powerful verses written between his conviction and execution at Newgate Prison, with engravings. Cooke's Edition.  In a contemporary full tree calf binding, with gilt to the spine and borders. Marbled endpapers and contemporary blanks.  Embellished with an engraved portrait frontispiece, additional engraved title page, and two further engraved plates. Collated, plate facing p. 60 has been incorrectly bound upside down, however complete.  Dated from imprints to the plates. Pagination error as issued.  Bound with a reissue of the advertisement orginally prefixed to the first edition (1777), a Life of the Author, and a selection of other found papers and letters written by Dodd in prison.  William Dodd was an English Anglican clergyman and a man of letters. He lived extravagantly, committed forgery in an effort to clear his debts, and was caught and convicted. Despite a public campaign for a Royal pardon, in which he received the assistance of Samuel Johnson, he was hanged at Tyburn for forgery. These verses were composed while in Newgate Prison and feature his reflections on the prison systems of the 18th century.   In a contemporary full tree calf binding, with gilt to the spine and borders. Externally, front board is at risk of detaching with further handling. Rear joint is strained. Rubbing to the extremities, with loss and lifting to the spine. Remnants of label and marks to the boards. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and generally clean, with the odd spot. Pink ink line made to the outer margin of p. 60. Plate facing p. 60 has been incorrectly bound upside down. Good Only . Ill.: R. Corbould; Ridley. Good Only .