The Cambridge University Press 1696-1712, A Bibliographical Study, Volumes I and II

Cambridge: The Cambridge University Press, 1966. First Edition. Hardcover. Fine/near fine. Two volumes (complete), quarto size, 842 pp., with (unsigned) note by the author. The Cambridge University Press began in 1534 when it was granted letters patent by King Henry VIII, and since then the publishing house, part of Cambridge University, has printed titles from numerous authors ranging from John Milton and Isaac Newton to Noam Chomsky and Stephen Hawking.

This bibliography of the Press includes publications from 1696 to 1712, and also details the financial side of the business, with many facsimiles of material printed by the Press; the set forms an extensive picture of just a small part of the work produced by the world's oldest publishing house.

Loosely laid into the book is a small single sheet "With the compliments of D.F. McKenzie" printed at the top, and a short note in manuscript beneath, "And with renewed Thanks for a most enjoyable morning last January". This obviously a note from the author and presumably in his hand, althought neither signed nor dated.

___DESCRIPTION: Both volumes of full blue cloth, red stamped spine label with gilt lettering and ruled borders, oval red stamped spine label with gilt ruled border and volume number, top edge stained teal, title page with emblem of the University in black, Volume I with black-and-white facsimiles of printed material from the Press and four three-colour charts of "work done by compositors and pressmen"; quarto size (11" by 7.5"), pagination: Volume I: [i-vi] vii-xv [xvi] 1-432 [433-435]; Volume II: [i-iv] v-ix [x] 1-381. In orange dust jackets with white and black lettering, the coat of arms of Cambridge University in black and title in white on the front panel, white and black lettering on the spine, the address of the Press on the rear panel, and a description of the book on the front flap with the original price of $55.00 ("in U.S.A."); note the lower left corner is clipped (we presume by the publisher, since the printed price is still present), the rear flaps are blank. Loosely laid in is the short note referred to above, measuring 6.75" by 4.25", written on brown paper, the printed words in dark brown.

___CONDITION: Both volumes fine overall, with clean boards, straight corners without any rubbing, strong, square text blocks with solid hinges, the interiors are clean and bright, and entirely free of prior owner markings; Volume I with the rear corners gently bumped and Volume II with an extremely small spot on the spine, else fine. The dust jackets near fine overall, not price-clipped, clean, with only a few spots of light edgewear; the spines are lightly sunned and the jacket for Volume II has a small area which caught and wrinkled (no missing pieces, but the wrinkled area is obvious). The autograph note is near fine, clean, free of edgewear, with a single horizontal fold (presumably the original fold from mailing).

___POSTAGE:  Please note that this set is unusually heavy and extra postage will apply; please inquire for details.

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