The Pilgrim's Progress From This World To That Which is to Come: Deliver'd under the Similitude of a Dream: Wherein is Discover'd The Manner of his Setting out, His Dangerous Journey, and Safe Arrival at the Desired Country.

BUNYAN, John.

The Pilgrim's Progress From This World To That Which is to Come: Deliver'd under the Similitude of a Dream: Wherein is Discover'd The Manner of his Setting out, His Dangerous Journey, and Safe Arrival at the Desired Country.

"one of the most significant works of religious English literature": Rare and unique sammelband collection of early printings of John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress

London: Printed for A.W. for W. Johnston, at the Golden-Ball, in St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1752-1755.

$850.00

Out of Stock Item Number: RRB-145684

Custom Clamshell Box (+$450)

* Custom Clamshell Boxes are hand made by the Harcourt Bindery upon request and take approximately 60 days to complete

Ask a Question Shipping & Guarantee

Rare twenty-eighth edition of one of the most significant works of religious English literature, bound with a twentieth edition of its second part, a sixteenth edition of its third part, and The Life and Death of Mr. John Bunyan. 12mo, bound in full calf with gilt ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, crimson morocco spine label lettered in gilt, engraved frontispiece, illustrated with woodcuts. Bound with a twentieth edition of The Pilgrim's Progress From This World to That which is to Come: The Second Part. Delivered under the Similitude of a Dream: Wherein is set forth the Manner of the Setting out of Christian's Wife and Children; their Dangerous Journey, and Safe Arrival at the Desired Country [Printed by A.W. for W. Johnston, at the Golden-Ball in St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1754] and a sixteenth edition of The Pilgrim's Progress From This World To That Which is to Come: The Third Part, Delivered under the Similitude of a Dream; Shewing the several Difficulties and Dangers he met with, and the many Victories he obtained over the World, the Flesh, and the Devil... [London: Printed for C. Hitch, and L. Hawes, at the Red-Line, in Pater-noster Row, 1755] and The Life and Death of Mr. John Bunyan, Late Preacher to the Gospel in Bedford with Memento-mori woodcut and title and an Elegy comprising 32 pages with 4 pages of publishers adverts at end for books printed by G. Hitch formerly printed by Nathaniel Crouch. Title page to Part I and seven pages of Apology before title page, 205 pages and an advert leaf on verso of final page, Part II contains 179 pages and advert leaf and final blank. Part 3 contains 119 pages. In very good condition. Period ownership inscription to the original front endpaper, "John Whitley His Book, 1780..." A very rare and unique collection of early printings of this significant work.

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.