Florio: A Tale for Fine Gentlemen and Fine Ladies; and, The Bas Bleu; or Conversation: Two Poems.
THE BLUESTOCKINGS’ MANIFESTO
More, Hannah. Florio: A Tale for Fine Gentlemen and Fine Ladies; and, The Bas Bleu; or
Conversation: Two Poems. London: Printed for T. Cadell, in the Strand, 1786.
4to.; 89, [1] pp.; stitched in modern, period-style blue wrappers; discreet book plate inside upper panel, light wear to first and final leaves.
First edition. Two works by More, unattributed on the title page but with her printed name after the dedication to Horace Walpole.
The Second poem of the two, which is dedicated to her friend Elizabeth Vesey, The Bas Bleu, was about her circle of female friends, and served as the anthem of the important Bluestockings. It also served as the first account of the Bluestockings to be published from within the circle itself. It remained the most significant defense of Bluestocking ideals for many decades thereafter, years in which satirical depiction of the Bluestockings would predominate. The poem was originally composed in 1783, was circulated in manuscript within the circle and was eventually published here in 1786. The poem’s publication was a significant public statement by the Bluestockings during their period of ascendance.
No copies of the first edition have appeared at auction in the past 35 years, and in that same time only one copy of the 1787 second edition has appeared at auction.
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