James Thomson

John Addington Symonds's first edition copy of Satires and Profanities by James Thomson.

• James Thomson (Scottish).
• London: Progressive Publishing Company, 1884.
• Original publisher’s green cloth, housed in a quarter-leather maroon slipcase, raised bands, gilt lettered spine, panels tooled in blind.

With Symond"s bookplate and a 68-word penciled comment by him about the book on the rear end-paper: "Heavy, dull, elaborately nauseous--like obscene photographs. Easy enough to get similitude of wit, if you indulge in [stirring?] topics which polite writers have avoided. Most of the jokes are on the level of a photo of a big prick or cunt. The best are stories from America..."; with a 5-word marginal comment by Symonds on page 52 and marginal markings by him on four other pages, additionally inscribed to Symonds "With A.H. Bullen's compts."

A. H. Bullen (Arthur Henry Bullen) was a prominent publisher and literary figure who had a significant professional relationship with John Addington Symonds. Bullen published several of Symonds's works, including his influential Shakespearean studies and translations, fostering their connection through shared literary interests in Renaissance poetry and drama, as evidenced by surviving letters.

Christie’s Printed Books & Manuscripts including Americana from the Collection of the Hon. J. William Middendorf II. Wednesday, May 17, 1989.

Quinnsale, lot 10227: "There were 3000 copies issued [posthumously], but nearly the entire edition was destroyed by fire."