The Hibernian Patriot: Being A Collection of the Drapier's Letters to the People Of Ireland, Concerning Mr. Wood's Brass Half-pence. Together With Considerations On the Attempts Made to Pass That Coin, and Reasons for ...
Swift, Jonathon (1922)
Book Summary
Reprinted and Sold by A. Moor in St. Paul’s Church-yard, and the Booksellers of London and Westminster, 1730. Second collected edition. 8vo, full brown calf, sides bordered with double gilt fillets; spine with five raised bands, ruled in gilt; red morocco spine label, gilt; all page edges marbled. (8), 264 pages; woodcut headpieces, tailpieces and initials. Fine. An exceptionally well-preserved copy of the second collected edition of the Drapier’s Letters, in a very handsome binding done in period style. Nelson pages 12 & 13: “Wood’s coinage for Ireland never appears to have been popular, and... he is reported to have said ‘that he would cram his brass down their (the Irish) throats in spite of them.’ Shortly after this appeared the first of a series of seven letters, the author of which was Jonathan Swift, D.D., Dean of St. Patrick’s, and since they were signed M.B. Drapier, became known as Drapier’s letters... The first letter made its appearance April, 1724, and produced a tremendous sensation... By such means as this was the prospect of a successful future for this coinage done away with.....” The refusal to accept William Wood’s Hibernia coinage in Ireland led to their export to the American colonies, where they appear to have circulated readily. This edition continues to present the author anonymously. Dekesel S578. Goldsmith 6798. Kress 3901.