The New Canterbury Tales

1811, a rare early title from Oliver Outline, pseudonym of poet Edward Quillinan

Author

Publisher

Printing Details

First edition. Hardback, rebound in plain paper covered boards, title label to spine. 21.5 × 12.5cm, 185pp [7, errata and ads]

An early title from poet Edward Quillinan written in the form of military dialogues. His first book, Ball Room Votaries; or, Canterbury and its Vicinity (1810) is adapted here to form the dialogue of chapter seven, and was a work that landed the author in considerable trouble, it was a verse satire on Canterbury personalities which lead to the author being challenged to a series of duels, and he had to transfer from his then regiment to the 3rd Dragoon Guards.

After retirement from the Army, he moved to the Lake District and married Wordsworth's daughter, Dora Wordsworth. (Wordsworth was godfather to one of his daughters from his first wife).

Condition

Fair to good condition. The binding has been professionally done but the pages are starting to loosen towards the end of the book, with the gathering of chapter eight being neatly detached. The pages are heavily tanned to the edges, with one taped repair to the last page of text, and the publisher's advertisements also heavily tanned. Spotted foxing and marking to the margins throughout. However, the whole remaining in good readable condition, and a scarce title to find in any form.