Steele, Richard; Addison, Joseph

The Guardian [2 volumes]

J. and R. Tonson, and S. Draper, 1751. First Edition. Leather Binding. Very Good. Item #607791

2 finely-bound volumes, complete as issued. An exquisite set in stunning period bindings. Full mid-18th-century red morocco in what has sometimes been termed 'Chippendale Style', spines with raised bands, black morocco label, and elaborate gilt floral and geometric tooling, covers bordered with a distinctive and unusual repeating floral border with an elliptical sensibility, gilt inner dentelles, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers (some rubbing, some nicking to spine tips). Engraved frontispieces in each volume after Francis Hayman by Charles Grignion the Elder. PROVENANCE: With an ink inscription in each volume in a fine hand 'Anne Howes Ex Dono Thos. Dickens 1752'; followed (in Volume I) by an inscription by Dickens himself in 1788, apparently on the passing of his Godmother.

Price: $600.00