The Pilgrim’s Progress From This World to that Which is to Come.

BUNYAN, John.

$2,500.00

Item Number: 139796

London: Routledge, Warne and Routledge, 1861.

Finely bound edition of one of the most significant works of religious English literature. Octavo, bound in full crushed teal levant morocco by Bayntun Bindery, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, quadruple gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, radiant cornerpieces and central morocco onlay of a pilgrim to the front panel, gilt turn-ins and wide inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, ribbon bound in, illustrated with one hundred and ten designs by J.D. Watson engraved on wood by the Brothers Dalziel. With a Memoir and notes by George Offor. In very good condition. An exceptional presentation.

First published in 1678, John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress remains one of the most significant works of theological fiction in English literature, as well as one of the progenitors of the narrative aspect of Christian media. It has been translated into more than 200 languages, and has never been out of print. It appeared in Dutch in 1681, in German in 1703 and in Swedish in 1727. The first North American edition was issued in 1681. “Bunyan wrote this book in Bedford Gaol, which may bring hope and consolation to some of the myriads of those imprisoned for conscience’ sake since his day… the early demand for the book was not from the learned, but from the pious and the young. It was at first fashionable to sneer at Bunyan as a writer, but the approval of such as Swift, Johnson and Walpole marked a change. Now it is universally known and loved, and the parable of salvation is accepted by all denominations” (PMM 156). It has also been cited as the first novel written in English.