[BROWN, Charles Brockden (1771-1810).] Ormond; or the Secret Witness. New York: by G. Forman for H. Caritat, 1799.

First edition of Brown's influential dark romance of post-Revolutionary Philadelphia. This novel of ideas explores Enlightenment-era themes of Republicanism, women's rights, and public health in a Gothic context of seduction, murder, and mayhem. Percy Shelley was such a fan that he borrowed the name of its protagonist, Constantia, as a pet name for his lover Claire Clairmont, upon whose tombstone it appears. The last copy recorded at auction by RBH was in 1915. Evans 35245; BAL 1497.

12mo (160 x 93mm). Three-line errata at bottom of final leaf (2 leaves with tears causing loss of text, last gathering sprung, some toning and stains). Contemporary half calf and paper boards, paper label on cover with title in pencil (spine perished and front board detached). Provenance: "Chas B. Rogers" (stamp on flyleaf).