The Deserted Village

An attractive late-19th-century illustrated edition of Oliver Goldsmith’s celebrated poem The Deserted Village, published in Philadelphia by Porter and Coates and illustrated by noted American artist and architect Hammatt Billings.

Originally published in 1770, Goldsmith’s poem contrasts the remembered beauty and community of rural village life with the social and economic changes that led to its decline. This Victorian American edition presents the poem with numerous detailed black-and-white illustrations by Billings, who is also well known for his work on early illustrated editions of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

The volume is especially appealing for its unusual publisher’s binding. The pale front board features an elaborate architectural and village design printed in black and silver-gray with prominent gilt decoration and lettering. The rear board is plain, with a tan cloth spine. Plain white endpapers.

The title page is undated. Bibliographic records generally assign this Porter and Coates edition to 1882, and it is cataloged here accordingly as [c. 1882].

Condition: Good antique condition, with an important completeness issue noted. The decorative front board shows age-related soiling, spotting, rubbing and wear to the edges and corners, while much of the original gilt decoration remains bright and attractive. Interior pages are generally clean and the surviving illustrations are well preserved.

Page 7 is missing, including the illustrated headpiece and accompanying text. All other illustrations listed in the book have been checked and are present. Some exposed binding/sewing is visible at the gutter. Please review photographs carefully for condition.