The Works.

Birmingham: Printed by John Baskerville, for J. and R. Tonson,, 1761. First Baskerville edition, a handsome copy in a splendid armorial binding from the library of Henry Fiennes Pelham-Clinton, 2nd Duke of Newcastle under Lyne (1720-1794) at Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire. The Duke of Newcastle was a Gentleman of the Bedchamber to George II and George III and among other official posts was Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire (1742-57), Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire (1768-94), High Steward of Westminster (1759-94) and Comptroller of Customs of the Port of London (1749-1794). His arms as Earl of Lincoln (his title before 1768) are surmounted by the coronet of an earl and encircled with the motto of the Order of the Garter. John Baskerville (1706-1775) was perhaps the most important English typographer of the 18th century, whose typeface remains in use today. Preceding the private press movement by over a century, Baskerville took considerable care in every aspect of the design and production of his books, with the aim of creating a beautiful and accessible text. Opting for utility and clarity, he employed a clear and bold typeface without unnecessary flourish and ornamentation, a design choice which acted as a major influence on the course of book history Baskerville's Addison was among his most substantial productions, and this is often esteemed as perhaps the finest edition of Addison. Dibdin thought it so and recommended it to any aspiring collector: "He who hath the Baskerville edition... hath a good and even a glorious performance. It is pleasant (and of course profitable) to turn over the pages of these lovely tomes... and if the copy be in goodly calf, full charged, gilt binding, with marble edges to the leaves... hasten, gallant young Bibliomaniac, with six sovereigns and six shillings to boot, to make yourself master of such a copy" (Dibdin, p. 613). This copy has the aristocratic pedigree, and indeed the marble edges, which would so delight Dibdin. Four volumes, quarto (297 x 230 mm). Contemporary sprinkled calf, spines gilt in compartments with later twin green and red morocco labels, covers with gilt arms of Henry Fiennes Clinton, 2nd Duke of Newcastle, marbled endpapers, edges marbled in alternating blue and pink. Vol. I with frontispiece and 4 engraved plates, vol. II with 6 plates (of 7, bound without that facing L1). Bound without "directions to the binder" leaf in vol. I, as often. Extremities restored, slight splits at joint ends, one label on vol. II chipped with loss to lettering, light rubbing, some foxing, very faint ownership offsetting to title page from plate. A very good copy. ESTC T89166; Gaskell 17. Thomas Frognall Dibdin, The Library Companion, 1825.