[LEAF BOOK] An Original Issue of "The Spectator", Together with The Story of the Famous Periodical and of its Founders, Joseph Addison & Richard Steele by Partridge, Eric - 1939

San Francisco: The Book Club of California [printed by The Grabhorn Press], 1939. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Near fine. One of 455 copies, folio size, 58 pp., with original leaf from "The Spectator" tipped in. "The Spectator" was created in 1711 by Joseph Addison (1672-1719) and Richard Steele (1672-1729); published daily for the first two years, it served to inform people of subjects like literature and philosophy and to encourage educated conversation. Supposedly it was intended especially for women audiences, to make available subjects and education that might not have been offered to them otherwise.

This volume was printed by the estimable the Grabhorn Press for the Book Club of California, and includes a leaf from the June 25th, 1711, issue of "The Spectator". Originally, one of the Club's members, M. S. Slocum, was asked to write an essay for the book, but he declined because of his other work; thus Eric Partridge (1894-1979), notable lexicographer and expert on the period of Addison and Steele, was asked instead.

___DESCRIPTION: Quarter natural linen with marbled paper boards, tan paper spine label with black lettering, fore-edge uncut, beige endpapers, limitation page with printer's device in black, title page in orange and black with two black-and-white photographs captioned "J. Addison" and "Richard Steele", an original leaf of "The Spectator" tipped in onto a page with a red ruled border, facsimile of the handbill in the British Museum announcing the publication of "The Spectator"; Baskerville monotype, American mold made paper, folio size (13.5" by 8.5"), pagination: [i-viii] [1-3] 4-49 [50], one of 455 copies, unnumbered.

___CONDITION: Volume is near fine, with clean boards, straight corners without rubbing, a strong, square text block with solid hinges, the interior is clean and bright, and entirely free of prior owner markings; some minor wear to the bottom edges of the boards, else fine.    

___CITATIONS: Grabhorn Press Bibliography, no. 312; BCC no. 56.

___POSTAGE:  International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please inquire for details.

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