PBA Galleries

2 volumes. iv, 452, [6]; iii-vi, [2], 439, [9] pp. Complete with all plates. (4to) 23.5x19 cm (9¼x7½") uniform period tree calf, red and green morocco labels. First Editions.

These two volumes appear to have been from a complete set of the works of Pennant in first editions as the spine label for 'Chester' reads 'Pennant Vol. Vi'. "Although he condemned Thomas Pennant's politics in no uncertain terms "the dog is a whig" (Johnson & Boswell, 1924: 261) Dr Samuel Johnson was a great admirer of his contemporary. He maintained that Pennant was "the best traveller I ever read" (Boswell,3: 274), who had a "greater variety of enquiry than almost any man, and has told us more than perhaps one in ten thousand could have done, in the time that he took" (Boswell, 1934—50, 5: 221). Pennant's success as a traveller can be explained by many factors, not the least of which was his ample fortune. This enabled him to employ artists to take drawings of objects of interest, allowed him to purchase the latest books and meant that he could travel in comfort. In addition, Pennant had an insatiable curiosity" (W. Noblett).