In his History of the QTP (1987) Carr reported that he had published four editions of this small book of the writings of William Cobbett (1763-1835). Four have been seen. The order of the third and fourth impressions is uncertain.
The title of the small book given on Bookfinder under the ISBN 0900847891 is Opinions
but the sub-title inside the front cover is a true-born Englishman
. The title Opinions
is not printed on any of the impressions shown below so it may be the title recorded by Carr when he registered the use of the ISBN? The date of publication given is October 1977, which is consistent with 24 titles published, but Carr writes inside the first edition that it is a complete list in January 1978, persumably when it was actually published.
Cobbett's year of birth is given as 1762 inside this book, one year early. Thanks to Tim Dean for spotting this.
This small book was edited by Carr's friend Edmund Kirby, a teacher at Kettering Grammar School.
Carrfact. William Cobbett lived for many years in Botley, a village outside Southampton, which he described as the most delightful in the world. Carr played football for Botley when he taught in a school in the nearby village of Bitterne from 1933 to 1935. There is no record of Carr's opinion of Botley.
(Last updated on 11/11/2021)
SBX-COB1: First edition
Title: William Cobbett
Publisher: J.L. Carr Publisher, 27 Mill Dale Road, Kettering
Year: January 1978
ISBN: (0900847891)
Size: 126 x 96 mm
Pages: 16 pp
Staples: one
Binding: white glossy printed card covers
Paper: white
Editor: Edmund Kirby
Cover artist: (J.L. Carr)
Internal illustrations: six small engravings
Number in series: none given
Colophon: sun face
Telephone number: none stated
Printing history: none stated
Number of other titles listed: 24
Printed by: G. Smith (Thrapston) Limited of Northamptonshire
Content: A brief life; verse by G.K. Chesterton; quotations from William Hazlitt, Mary Russell Mitford, Ebenezer Elliott, Edmund Kirby; 41 extracts from texts written by Cobbett.
Notes: Inside the rear cover is written: 'If you collect these books, this is a complete list to January 1978.' I don't think it was complete as Robert Herrick, who was one of the first poets that Carr published, probably in December 1972, is not listed.
There is a note written underneath the list of titles:
Some of these books were suggested by readers and your letters are always welcome and will be answered.
Rear and front covers
Inside rear cover
SBX-COB2: Second impression
Title: William Cobbett
Publisher: J.L. Carr Publisher, 27 Mill Dale Road, Kettering
Year: unknown
ISBN: (0900847891)
Size: 129 x 96 mm
Pages: 16 pp
Staples: one
Binding: white glossy printed card covers
Paper: white
Editor: Edmund Kirby
Cover artist: (J.L. Carr)
Internal illustrations: six small engravings
Number in series: none given
Colophon: sun face
Telephone number: none stated
Printing history: none stated
Number of other titles listed: 31
Printed by: G. Smith (Thrapston) Limited of Northamptonshire
Content: A brief life; verse by G.K. Chesterton; quotations from William Hazlitt, Mary Russell Mitford, Ebenezer Elliott, Edmund Kirby; 41 extracts from texts written by Cobbett.
Notes: The publication date is taken from the registration of the ISBN. The number of other titles (31) is consistent with this being the first edition, but it might not be.
There is a note written underneath the list of titles:
Some of these books were suggested by readers and your letters are always welcome and will be answered.
Rear and front covers
Inside rear cover
SBX-COB3/4: Third or fourth impression
Title: William Cobbett
Publisher: J.L. Carr Publisher, 27 Mill Dale Road, Kettering
Year:
ISBN: (0900847891)
Size: 128 x 95 mm
Pages: 16 pp
Staples: one
Binding: white glossy printed card covers
Paper: white
Editor: Edmund Kirby
Cover artist: (J.L. Carr)
Internal illustrations: six small engravings
Number in series: none given
Colophon: sun face
Telephone number: none stated
Printing history: none stated
Number of other titles listed: 39
Printed by: G. Smith (Thrapston) Limited of Northamptonshire
Content: A brief life; verse by G.K. Chesterton; quotations from William Hazlitt, Mary Russell Mitford, Ebenezer Elliott, Edmund Kirby; 41 extracts from texts written by Cobbett.
Notes: This is the same as the impression below, except the colour of the cover is different and there is no statement under the list of titles.
Rear and front covers
Inside rear cover
SBX-COB3/4: Third or fourth impression
Title: William Cobbett
Publisher: J.L. Carr Publisher, 27 Mill Dale Road, Kettering
Year:
ISBN: (0900847891)
Size: 128 x 97 mm
Pages: 16 pp
Staples: one
Binding: white glossy printed card covers
Paper: white
Editor: Edmund Kirby
Cover artist: (J.L. Carr)
Internal illustrations: six small engravings
Number in series: none given
Colophon: sun face
Telephone number: none given
Printing history: none stated
Number of other titles listed: 39
Printed by: G. Smith (Thrapston) Limited of Northamptonshire
Content: A brief life; verse by G.K. Chesterton; quotations from William Hazlitt, Mary Russell Mitford, Ebenezer Elliott, Edmund Kirby; 41 extracts from texts written by Cobbett.
Notes: This is the same as the impression above, except the colour of the cover is different.
Rear and front covers
Inside rear cover