Author Name:   Dodsley, Robert (ed)

Title:    A Collection of Poems in Six Volumes by Several Hands

Dodsley (1703-1764) was an English bookseller and writer. He published his first work, "Servitude: a Poem written by a Footman" in 1729. Its preface and postscript were attributed to Daniel Defoe. Three years later he published a collection of short poems, A Muse in Livery, or the Footman's Miscellany. He later became one of the foremost publishers of the era.

One of his first publications was Samuel Johnson's London, in 1738. He published many other of Johnson's works, and is said to have suggested and helped finance the Johnson's English Dictionary. In addition, he founded several literary periodicals: "The Museum", "The Preceptor", "The World" and "The Annual Register".

The books in this set are bound in contemporary full calf with gilt rules to front and rear boards and gilt design to spine panels with morocco title label. All volumes - AEG and with professionally printed bookplate of "Catherine Wylde, Southwell" to FPDP. Also discoloration of outside edges of Prelims up to and including half-title page and rear endpapers from final index page.

Volume I - 335pp inc index - Front board detached but present. Left half of title label missing. Covers suffer edgewear. Small, neat, inked notation to FEP and pencilled notations to FPDP. Rest of textblock in VG condition, clean and tight.

Volume II - 336pp inc index - Front board missing. Title label missing, but blind-stamped title from under the label shows. Rear cover and spine suffer edgewear. Discolouration of outside edges of Prelims up to and including half-title page and rear endpapers from page 335. Clipping from Letters to the Editor column of The Times from 1 Aug, 1944 in reference to cats in poetry tipped in at Page 272 (whereon is a poem, "Ode on the death of a favourite cat...") which has caused tanning of adjoining pages 270-275. Rest of textblock in VG condition, clean and tight.

Volume III - 351pp inc index - Includes one illustration to "Musaeus: a Monody to the Memory of Mr Pope", and one illustration to "An Essay on Satire". Front and rear joints are are split but volume is relatively tight. Most of title label missing, except for upper left corner. Covers suffer edgewear and rubbing. Rest of textblock in VG condition, clean and tight.

Volume IV - 360pp inc index - Includes one headpiece engraving to "An Elegy Written in a Country Church Yard" and the score for "Musick for the preceeding Ballad Compiled by Mr Arne". Front board missing. Neatly inked signature of Wylde to FEP. Title label missing, but blind-stamped title from under the label shows. Rear joint is split but textblock is relatively tight. Cover suffers edgewear and rubbing. Rest of textblock in VG condition, clean and tight.

Volume V - 336pp inc index - Includes one headpiece engraving to "Rural Elegance: An Ode to the Late Duchefs of Somerset". Front and rear joints are badly but not completely split but textblock is relatively tight. right half of title label missing. Cover suffers edgewear and rubbing.

Volume VI - 336pp inc index - Includes one headpiece engraving to "Hymn to the Naiads". Title label missing, but blind-stamped title from under the label shows. Front joint is badly but not completely split but textblock is relatively tight. right half of title label missing. Cover suffers edgewear and rubbing.

The set would benefit from rebinding. A large and heavy set which will require additional shipping cost.

Antiquarian, Leather-Bound, Poetry, Poem, 18th Century, Book Set, Samuel Johnson, Richard Tickel, Samuel Cobb, Matthew Green, Dr. Arbuthnot, William Melmoth, John Dyer, William Shenstone, Benjamin Stillingfleet, William Collins, Henry Fielding, Thomas Gray, William Whithead, Richard West, Alexander Pope

Price = 255.00 GBP