1775 COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON. Selina's Personal Copy of John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress!

What a little treasure. The present was Selina, Countess of Huntingdon's personal copy of Bunyan's Immortal Tale, then a part of the library used for the training college started on her private estate to train those converted under Wesley and Whitefield as preachers, and ultimately, becoming Trevecca College in Wales [1768] and later, Cheshunt College. 

The volume, likely given to her by the publisher as it was dedicated to her, contains her personal bookplate, which has now been significantly damaged, but is still present. It then has an early inscription, "This book belongs to the study at the Countess of Huntingdon's College." This would have been the earliest years of Trevecca College in Wales, which began in 1768. Most of her personal library moved to Trevecca in 1791, after her death in the same year. This was likely her personal copy from 1775 through that period.  

Truly, anything related to the Countess, who we could think of as nearly the sole financier of the Great Awakening, is scarce. She supported Whitefield and the Wesleys without reserve. She founded her own training college for the new evangelists coming to Christ through their ministries. She then built them chapels all across the United Kingdom, nearly exhausting her vast estate.  At her death, her massive estate was nearly depleted. She'd given it all to John Wesley, George Whitefield [who had been her Chaplain], to the Cornish Methodists, the Welsh Methodists, to the creation of a College to train ministers. . . and most importantly, to Christ. 

Bunyan, John. The Pilgrim's Progress from this World to that which is to come, Delivered Under the Similitude of a Dream. Wherein is Discovered I. The Manner of His Setting Out. II. His Dangerous Journey; and III. His Safe Arrival at the Desired Country. Complete in Two Parts. A New Edition, Carefully Revised and Corrected, and Adorned with Twenty-Two New Sculptures. To which is Now First Added, Practical and Explanatory Notes; in which Particular Notice is taken of such Circumstances as appear Calculated to Inform the Judgment and Warm the Heart. Dedicated (with Permission) to the Right Honourable the Countess of Huntingdon and Recommended by the Rev. Mr. Edwards of Leeds. London. P. Oriel. 1775. 

Original calf, a bit rubbed, but very attractive and sound.