first edition
1767 · London
by (BINDINGS - COTTAGE ROOF DESIGN)
London: Mark Baskett, 1767. FIRST EDITION. 175 x 106 mm. (6 7/8 x 4 1/4"). [3]-79, [3], 80, [1] pp., [2] leaves, 81-170 pp.
VERY PRETTY CONTEMPORARY RED MOROCCO, BOARDS EXUBERANTLY GILT IN THE "COTTAGE ROOF" STYLE, large central lozenge, its central star radiating lancet tools with birds and flowers on a kinetic (but symmetrical) field of small tools, elaborate cornerpieces of scrolling foliage with birds and rosettes, the edges of the roof accented with bees, small insects, and dangling urns of flowers, all enclosed by a thick gilt rule flanked by two dogtooth rolls; raised bands, spine gilt in compartments with a central fleuron, black morocco label, turn-ins gilt, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. Woodcut device in title pages. Headlines in an attractive gothic type. ESTC N70978. For the binding: Foot, "Henry Davis Gift" II, 175. Spine slightly darkened (and gilt a bit dulled), minor wear to corners and front joint, otherwise just trivial defects, the text extremely fresh and clean, and the original unrestored binding with very lustrous covers.
This is a nicely printed and well-preserved copy of an 18th century text of importance to British cultural history, in a period binding done to a particularly intriguing design. The text contains all laws in effect regarding the postal service, starting from the major reforms under Queen Anne to those passed at the time of publication, during the reign of George III. Through these, the reader can trace the modernization of the post office over the course of the 18th century, as it went from its rough-and-ready early modern form into something we would recognize today. Our binding is a very good example of the "cottage roof" style. Often credited to Samuel Mearne, this style appeared during the Restoration and remained popular in Britain (as demonstrated by this example) through the end of the 18th century. Although we have been unable to identify the tools, the binding bears a marked resemblance to no. 175 in the Davis Gift, which has a similar radiating central lozenge and seven-pointed stars, as well as the same "cottage roof" shape flanked with insects.. (Inventory #: ST19567-206)
VERY PRETTY CONTEMPORARY RED MOROCCO, BOARDS EXUBERANTLY GILT IN THE "COTTAGE ROOF" STYLE, large central lozenge, its central star radiating lancet tools with birds and flowers on a kinetic (but symmetrical) field of small tools, elaborate cornerpieces of scrolling foliage with birds and rosettes, the edges of the roof accented with bees, small insects, and dangling urns of flowers, all enclosed by a thick gilt rule flanked by two dogtooth rolls; raised bands, spine gilt in compartments with a central fleuron, black morocco label, turn-ins gilt, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. Woodcut device in title pages. Headlines in an attractive gothic type. ESTC N70978. For the binding: Foot, "Henry Davis Gift" II, 175. Spine slightly darkened (and gilt a bit dulled), minor wear to corners and front joint, otherwise just trivial defects, the text extremely fresh and clean, and the original unrestored binding with very lustrous covers.
This is a nicely printed and well-preserved copy of an 18th century text of importance to British cultural history, in a period binding done to a particularly intriguing design. The text contains all laws in effect regarding the postal service, starting from the major reforms under Queen Anne to those passed at the time of publication, during the reign of George III. Through these, the reader can trace the modernization of the post office over the course of the 18th century, as it went from its rough-and-ready early modern form into something we would recognize today. Our binding is a very good example of the "cottage roof" style. Often credited to Samuel Mearne, this style appeared during the Restoration and remained popular in Britain (as demonstrated by this example) through the end of the 18th century. Although we have been unable to identify the tools, the binding bears a marked resemblance to no. 175 in the Davis Gift, which has a similar radiating central lozenge and seven-pointed stars, as well as the same "cottage roof" shape flanked with insects.. (Inventory #: ST19567-206)
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