Phoenix Britannicus: being a Miscellaneous Collection of Scarce and Curious Tracts, Historical, Political, Biographical, Satirical, Critical, Characteristical, &c. Prose and Verse. Only to be found in the Cabinets of the Curious. Interspersed with Choice pieces from Original MSS. Vol. I (all published)... Collected by J. Morgan.

Bookseller Notes

A reissue of the 1731 edition, with a different title-page, dedication, a list of contents to the whole volume, and the sixth part. Morgan 'was born in the late seventeenth century but little is known about his life. He was the author of numerous books and treatises, the first of which was probably The Phoenix (2 vols., 1707-8) which was revived in 1721 as A Collection of Choice, Scarce and Valuable Tracts. These were the forerunners of his most significant work, the monthly pamphlet, Phoenix Britannicus: a Miscellaneous Collection of Scarce and Curious Tracts. The first number appeared in January 1732 [sic, recte 1731] and ran for six successive months before lack of subscribers led to its discontinuation' (ODNB). The dearth of subscibers is alluded to in a footnote to the Contents, Morgan promising to print their names when he has more of them, adding that 'to prevent needless Trouble, and Mistakes, it is desired, "That the Persons who have Orders to take in the Books, may also be ordered to pay the Bearer:" Which some Gentlemen have forgot to do.'In some copies a 2-page Postscript to Preface is found before the second Number.