Valerian, a Narrative Poem: Intended in Part to Describe the Early Persecutions of Christians ...

Philadelphia: Thomas and George Palmer, 1805. 1st edition. (BAL 1509; Shaw & Shoemaker 8790; Wegelin 1038.) In a period binding with a modern, marbled paper jacket. An epic poem in blank verse about the persecution of early Christians by "the tyrants of Rome," the spread of Christianity and its influence on the "Manner of Nations." Left unfinished and published the year after John Blair Linn's death at age 27 of tuberculosis. With a biographical sketch of Linn's life and work, including his service as pastor of the First Presbyterian congregation in Philadelphia. Sketch written by Linn's brother-in-law, "C.B.B." [Charles Brockden Brown.] xxvi, 97 pp. Quarto, 10 by 8.25 inches. Early or original binding of light blue paper-covered boards. Worn and stained externally but intact with sound hinges and text block. Lacking the frontispiece silhouette portrait of Linn, but otherwise complete. Ghost of the portrait visible on title page. Text pages age-toned throughout. Several pages more heavily darkened with old spotting/staining but no loss of legibility. In all, a solid a copy of a scarce early American imprint. For appearance and protection, we added the attractive dust jacket fashioned from thick marbled paper hand-made in Israel.