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The Praise of Hell: Or, a View of the Infernal Regions (Extremely Rare, First English Edition), 1765 🔥👹📜

Name: The Praise of Hell: Or, a View of the Infernal Regions (Extremely Rare, First English Edition), 1765 🔥👹📜
Brand: Wall Antiques
Price: 9950.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$9,950.00

Sale Sold out

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is an extremely rare and culturally important first English edition of The Praise of Hell, a subversive masterpiece of 18th-century counter-culture. This two-volume work from 1765 is not a theological text but a powerful and witty satire of religious hypocrisy and political corruption.

It represents a direct link to the intellectual underworld of Enlightenment-era London. Its status as an "extremely rare" first English edition, complete with its original bindings and unique bookplates, makes it a cornerstone acquisition for a serious collector of intellectual history or forbidden literature.

Masquerading as a mock travelogue to the underworld, this book is, in reality, a scathing critique of the established order.

The anonymous author, whose work is tied to the clandestine book trade of Jean-Frédéric Bernard, uses mock-serious essays to "praise" Hell and its inhabitants. This book is an intellectual time capsule, offering a window into the radical, free-thinking corners of the Enlightenment. Its provocative title served as a filter, attracting those sympathetic to its anti-establishment message while repelling the conventional.

2. About the Artwork/Book/Object 📖✍️✨

The Praise of Hell uses satire to discuss topics ranging from the "excellence of hell" to the "laws, constitution and government of hell". It offers a sharp and humorous critique of contemporary society and religious conventions by arguing that Hell is the home of powerful, famous, and intellectually stimulating figures. This satirical inversion of traditional morality and values is presented as a paradoxical celebration of the infernal world.

The book's subversive message is further emphasized by its numerous engraved plates. These illustrations were crucial in communicating its hidden meaning to a wider audience, particularly in a time of limited literacy, and add to the visual and historical appeal of the book. The detailed engravings depict scenes and characters from the "infernal world," cleverly arousing the reader's curiosity while also reinforcing the book's critical themes.

This single two-volume set is more than just a book; it is a curated historical artifact. Its dual identity as a work of both literature and social commentary makes it a "crossover" collectible, appealing to bibliophiles, collectors of English history, and students of religious and intellectual history.

The book's connection to the famous Praise of Folly by Erasmus places it within a rich literary tradition and gives it added importance for scholars.

3. About the Author/Maker ✍️🏛️✨

The author of the original French work, L'Eloge de l'Enfer, remains anonymous, a deliberate choice given the inflammatory content. The English translation is attributed to a "Mr. Mac-Carthy," a name likely used as a pseudonym to protect the identity of the individual responsible for bringing this provocative work to London. The use of a false name was a common practice for authors and translators of banned or controversial works to avoid prosecution.

The book's production can be tied to Jean-Frédéric Bernard, a key figure in the clandestine book trade of the period. Bernard's career was built on producing and disseminating forbidden literature across Europe, and his involvement gives this book a fascinating history.

The English translator, identified as Mr. Mac-Carthy, played a vital role in bringing this work to a new audience, preserving the original work's biting wit and satirical tone for English readers. His work allowed for the spread of these radical ideas into London's intellectual circles, making the English edition a key document in the history of the Enlightenment.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

The publication of this book in London in 1765 places it at a time of burgeoning intellectual and political discourse. It was the era of the Enlightenment, a time when reason and science were directly challenging traditional beliefs and the authority of both church and state.

The book's satirical content was particularly potent in a climate of skepticism and dissent, speaking to a public that was eager to engage with new ideas and provocative commentary. Its publication also coincides with the height of notoriety for the infamous Hellfire Clubs, which were known for their irreligious and libertine practices. The book would have been celebrated in these circles, and its provocative title would have attracted those sympathetic to its anti-establishment message.

The work is considered a significant text for understanding the radical skepticism that would culminate in the French Revolution. It is a crucial source for historians and collectors of 18th-century political thought, as it provides a tangible example of the intellectual battles that were being fought in Europe long before they erupted into open conflict. This volume is a direct link to the ideas that shaped nations and changed the course of history.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This volume is a curated holding for a specific class of collector who values intellectual and cultural history above all else. The ideal purchaser is not merely a bibliophile but a curator of intellectual movements. They are likely a historian or a private collector building a focused collection of censored works, radical political texts, or satirical literature from the Enlightenment.

This is an acquisition for a collector who seeks items that are primary source documents of an era, connecting them directly to the intellectual battles that shaped nations. It would be a significant addition to a private library that already contains important works on the English Civil Wars, the Protestant Reformation, or the Enlightenment.

The book appeals to a collector who seeks a truly unique story behind an object. The provenance provided by the bookplates and the historical context of its translation and publication makes this a one-of-a-kind piece.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

As an extremely rare first English edition from 1765, this book is a unique and non-replicable asset. Finding an original printing of this work in good condition is a singular occurrence. Its controversial and satirical nature may have led to many copies being destroyed or lost over time, making its survival in this state a rare find.

The book’s value is derived from its market scarcity and its documented history. From a curatorial and financial perspective, this book’s worth is focused on its extreme rarity and documented history, placing it in a category of holdings typically found in institutional collections.

A strategic investor recognizes that the opportunity to acquire a complete two-volume copy of this publication is a singular event for a private collector.

The book’s well-preserved state, including its original full calf leather binding and clean interior pages, further justifies its premium price. This is a price a book dealer would set for a premium asset, accounting for the unique value added by its exceptional condition and a traceable history that extends into prominent 18th-century intellectual circles.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This book is in a state of remarkable preservation for its age and controversial nature. It is bound in its original full calf leather with raised bands and gilt-lettered spine labels. The bindings are tight and sound, with age-appropriate rubbing and wear, which adds to its authentic character.

The pages exhibit expected toning and scattered foxing, but the text is complete and clear throughout. These minor imperfections are normal for a book of this age and are transparently noted.

The book contains an engraved frontispiece and other illustrations that are well-preserved and add to the book's visual and historical appeal.

The overall physical integrity of the book is an important part of its value, showcasing the care it has received over the centuries.

8. Translation of Inscriptions/Ephemera (Conditional) ✍️📜🔤

This book contains a bookplate and a handwritten inscription. The bookplate, affixed to the inside front cover, is for "William Pinkerton, ESQ. FSA.". The book also contains a handwritten inscription from a previous owner. The inscription reads: "William Berriman".

The bookplate of William Pinkerton, a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, suggests that the book was once part of the collection of a serious scholar.

The handwritten name "William Berriman" adds another layer of human connection, linking the physical object to a specific person from its distant past.

9. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

The book's style and content were heavily influenced by the famous "Praise of Folly" by Erasmus, which also used satire to critique social and religious norms.
The book’s provocative title served to attract a specific audience, including members of the infamous Hellfire Clubs, secret societies of wealthy aristocrats known for their debauchery and irreligious rituals.
The book was a bestseller in Europe before its condemnation, being translated into Dutch, German, French, and English within years of its initial publication. This wide circulation speaks to the immense appetite for satirical and provocative literature during the Enlightenment.
The author of the original French work remains anonymous, a deliberate choice given the inflammatory content. This enduring mystery adds an extra layer of intrigue for collectors.