Books

London: Printed for E. Curll, 1720.. FIRST EDITION. 8vo (19 x 11.6 cm). pp. xix + 320 + 8. Handsome 19th century full mottled calf, covers with double gilt filet, smooth spine tooled in gilt, red morocco label, gilt edges. Engraved frontispiece, 3 engraved full page plates. Armorial bookplate of John Croft Deverell to front pastedown endpaper. Rebacked preserving original spine, head of spine restored. Evenly browned throughout. First edition of this narrative of a deaf mute who was able to prevail in life by his peculiar ability. It is illustrated with a frontispiece and 3 full-page plates, one of which shows pictograms of sign language. It includes chapters on the occult. The authorship of the book has not clearly been established although historically has been attributed to the prolific Daniel Defoe, it is now also believed to have been authored by William Bond.

The book details the biography of the deaf and mute Scottish gentleman Mr. Duncan Campbell, focusing on his life and the challenges he faced. It also explores his work as a prognosticator or soothsayer and includes colorful anecdotes about 18th-century London society.