Father Tom and the Pope; or A Night at the Vatican.
Philadelphia: Le Cercle du Poele, 1861.
Pictorial half-title in red and blue pasted to the recto of the third blank preceding the title page; extra illustrated by the addition of an original photograph of one of the purported authors: Michael Heffernan and a carefully cut engraving of William Maginn, the other suspected author. Short 4to, contemporary three quarter green calf, spine gilt, rebacked at an early date, preserving the original spine; some general wear, otherwise a fine copy. Philadelphia: Privately Printed for "Le Cercle du Poele", 1861.
One of 98 privately printed copies. First published edition. With Presentation from the publisher: "Charles Martin U.S.N. with regards of E. Pennington, Philadelphia, May 1861". A rather scathing attack on the Catholic church in the form of a Rabelaisian satire, in Irish dialect, first appearing in the pages of Blackwood's magazine of May, 1838. The authorship has never been firmly established. Long note written in the margin of the "Praefatiuncula".
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Very Good
Language: English
Price: $500.00
Item #66618