Books

London: Printed for E. Curll. ., 1720. First Edition. Old bookseller's catalogue description tipped to front pastedown; occasional spots; covers rubbed, hinges tender but sound, spine flaking.. 8vo, frontispiece, [4], 320pp; later polished calf and marbled boards. A decent copy, complete with frontispiece portrait and all three engraved plates. Defoe's authorship has been questioned. Moore states that he likely wrote the first draft as early as 1717 but that is was later revised for publication in an attempt to capitalize on the popularity of Robinson Crusoe (1719). Moore 432.

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.

Key indicators may include the publisher, matching dates to known first editions, absence of additional print information, and presence of errors corrected in later printings.