Anser Pen-Drag-on [William Henry Ireland] — Scribbleomania; or, the Printer&Apos;S Devil&Apos;S Polichronicon: A Sublime Poem

London, Sherwood, Neely, and Jones, 1815. First edition. Hardback. The first edition of a fascinating series of satirical poems poking fun at the current literary scene, written by the devilish yet talented Shakespeare forger William Henry Ireland. The first edition of Scribbleomania; or, The Printer's Devil's Polichronicon: A Sublime Poem, written by English writer and forger William Henry Ireland under the satirical pseudonym of Anser Pen-Dragon. In the publisher's original drab boards, with original end papers preserved and without half-title as issued. A humorous vignette of a swan to the title leaf, and publisher's original advertisements to the rear. A fascinating work using the best of his literary genius and cunning, Ireland commentates on the current literary figures of the period through this satirical and arguably bitter series of poems, from Romantic greats such as Coleridge and Byron to Bluestocking writers such as Hannah Moore. Despite the comical use of his pseudonym, Ireland had been disgraced since being exposed for forging signed documents and plays written by Shakespeare which failled his father Samuel, a prolific collector, who published them. Even though Scribbleomania and his Histories were popular, he could not recover from debt or his literary reputation by the end of his life. In the publisher's original drab boards, with original end papers preserved and without half-title as issued. Split binding between pp.144-145, resulting in a separation of text, spine and boards. Binding between pp.310-311 also near loose. Browning and wear to spine with interior visible. Split to front joint, with front board working loose. Edgewear and the odd spot to boards. Faint offsetting and spotting to end papers. Internally, hinge failed between pp.144-145, otherwise firmly bound. Pages are mostly bright and clean, with the odd faint spot. Fair . Ill.: None. Fair .