The Pleasures of Hope with Other Poems
 by Thomas Campbell.

The Pleasures of Hope was originally published in 1799 (with 4 engraved illustrations but not by Heath).  This poem proved very popular with the book buying public and was later printed in countless editions.  The 5th edition (1801) featured some new illustrations from copper plates with one plate engraved by James Heath, (dated 1st July 1800), one by James Fittler (dated 1st July 1800) and two by John Neagle (not dated).  These plates were all from illustrations by Edward Francis Burney.  A further edition was produced in 1806 (9th edition) with identical illustrations from new plates but this time with two of the engravings being done by James Heath and two by James Fittler all dated 23 August 1805.  An edition in 1818 'A New Edition' featured plates engraved on copper by James Heath's son Charles Heath from illustrations by Richard Westall.  The 1821 edition featured the same Westall illustrations, again engraved by Charles Heath, but this time on hardened steel, printed by Perkins, Fairman and Heath.  The 1821 edition of Pleasures of Hope was the first book to be printed from steel plates (instead of copper plates).  Where as the earlier copper plates had been worn out and had to be re-engraved, the later 1821 plates were on hardened steel and thus could produce much larger numbers of prints to satisfy public demand for this very popular production.

Title page from The Pleasures of Hope with Other Poems Click for larger image.

Illustration by Edward Francis Burney from The Pleasures of Hope. Engraved by John Neagle 1800. Click for larger image.

Illustration by Edward Francis Burney from The Pleasures of Hope. Engraved by John Neagle 1800. Click for larger image.

The Pleasures of Hope; with other Poems by Thomas Campbell.  The Fifth Edition

Burney del.                      Neagle Sc
When Murder bar'd her arm & rampant War Yoked the red dragons of her icon car; When peace & mercy banish'd from the plain, Sprung on the viewless winds to Heav'n again.

Burney del                           Neagle
Now on Atlantic waves he rides a far, Where Andes, giant of the weste'rn star, With meteor standard to the winds unfurl'd, Looks from his throne of clouds oe'r half the world.

The Pleasures of Hope by Thomas Campbell fifth edition 1801. Click for larger image.

Illustration by Edward Francis Burney from The Pleasures of Hope. Engraved by James Heath 1800. Click for larger image.

Illustration by Edward Francis Burney from The Pleasures of Hope. Engraved by James Fittler 1800. Click for larger image.

The above copy has the signature of Anne Penrose August 1807.  If anyone can tell me who Anne Penrose was I would be pleased to hear from you.
Please contact me on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Burney, del              Heath, sculp

Lo, at the couch where infant beauty sleeps. Her silent watch the mournful mother keeps.

Longman & Rees, London, 1 July 1800

Burney, Del            Fittler, Sculp
Leans o'er its humble gate, & thinks the while. Oh! that for me some home like this would smile, Some hamlet shade, to yeild my sickly form, Health in the breeze, & shelter in the storm.
Longman & Rees, London, 1 July 1800

 

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