A View Of The Various Editions Of The Greek And Roman Classics With Remarks

London: T. Becket. Good. 1775. First Edition. Hardcover. Harwood surveys the universe of Greek and Latin classics as it existed in his time, provides commentary, and "the customary price" for many items (a few shillings for most 16th century books and a few pounds for most 15th century items! ). I believe this is the first edition: I have found none published earlier, and the preface is dated 1775. Of special interest, someone in an old hand (probably 18th century) has added marginal comments on a number of titles--sometimes contradicting Harwood's estimate, and at other times correcting his entries; on front end paper is a list of 9 "authors omitted. " First few pages have some wormholing to upper right corner, not affecting text. Pages are remarkably free of foxing. Altogether, an interesting and uncommon item. Original leather covers; both outer joints cracked but still holding. This copy is a good candidate for "rebacking" -- ie. , keep original covers and have a book binder lay down a new leather spine. This will preserve the original look of the book. Often the binder will put on a new leather spine label with gilt author and title for minimal cost at the same time. Contents are clean and sound. Minimal foxing and staining except to end papers (this book was produced prior to the widespread use of acidic paper which was adopted in the 1820's and 30's). The end paper, title page and first page are affected by an insect hole int he upper right corner (you can see it in one of the pictures). As noted in the description, there are some notations made in an old hand in dark ink. These notes add editions not noted and correct errors in the bibliography, etc. Maybe about 10% of pages have such corrections. Two previous owners wrote their names on the end papers--George Moore's signature looks like the same hand that made the notes. Could this have been the same George Moore of London who was a student of the Classics at Trinity College, later a prominent philosopher at Trinity, and who wrote Principia Ethica -- also a colleague of Bertrand Russell and others? Whoever made the notes obviously was familiar with this subject. There is also a list of names on the front end paper--authors not included in the bibliography. The book appears to be complete--I have not collated it, but a cursory exam does not reveal any missing pages. One note, for example, says: "The above notes are taken from Dr. Taylor whose Preface...Harwood seems not to have consulted." Another refering to Plutarchi Opera (1572) says "Very incorrect but copied by all the ... Editions after ... Viz. 1599, 1620,1624." Another says: "The Paris edition is superior in respect of Paper but inferior in respect of Type ...." The last three pages contain advertisements for other books by Harwood printed by the London publisher. ; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 229 pages .