[Parnell, Thomas.]

8vo, first edition, presented by the author to john gay, with gay's inscription on the half-title ("J Gay. Ex dono Authoris"), modern brown morocco, spine lettered in gilt, marbled endpapers, inscriptions and headlines slightly shaved

John Gay, presented to him by the author (inscription); the book and manuscript collector R.B. Adam, morocco book-label with  vignette portrait of Samuel Johnson; H. Buxton Forman, bookplate

The collector Robert Borthwick Adam (1863-1940) was born in England as Robert Borthwick Adam Scott, but brought to Buffalo, New York State in 1872, where he was adopted by his uncle Robert Borthwick Adam (1833-1904), a prosperous department store owner. He later assumed his uncle's name and eventually inherited the department store, as well as a substantial collection of British rare books and literary manuscripts, many of them relating to Samuel Johnson. His Johnson collection was sold to Donald and Mary Hyde in 1948. Mary Hyde bequeathed the collection to the Houghton Library upon her death in 2003.

The interests of the bibliographer, writer and forger H. Buxton Forman (1842–1917) centred around the Romantic poets Keats and Shelley, but today he is best known for his association with Thomas James Wise, whom he met through the Shelley Society in 1886, and with whom he initiated a clandestine publishing programme of some hundred piracies and forgeries.

Foxon P70; Rothschild 1512

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

a fine association copy. Parnell and Gay were, of course, both members of the Scriblerus Club, founded in 1712 with the aim of satirizing abuses of learning wherever they might be found. The other members included Jonathan Swift, Alexander Pope and John Arbuthnot.