PALTOCK, Robert
The Life and adventures of Peter Wilkins, a Cornish man. Taken from his own mouth, in his passage to England, from off Cape Horn in America, in the ship Hector
London, Harrison and Co., 1783
2 volumes bound in one, 8vo (204 x 122 mm) 189 pp. Contemporary speckled sheep, spine gilt with raised bands, red morocco lettering piece.
950 
Sabin 58394 (note).

In stock

A fine illustrated edition of the celebrated book by Robert Paltock (1697-1767), English novelist and attorney.

The structure of The Life of Peter Wilkins is close to the plan developed on Robinson Crusoe. The story describes the adventures of Peter Wilkins, stranded on island after shipwrecking in the arctic. The special feature of the book being a combination of the fantastic and utopic as Wilkins gets to know the local population which has a surprising ability : they can fly. He eventually gets married and instructs his newly found family on the subtleties of 18th century civilization.

The book was appreciated by Walter Scott, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Charles Lamb, and other writers.

Fine copy.