Description

First edition, 3 vols., 4to (270 x 185 mm), [6], vi, [2], ccxxv, [1], 410, [2]; [4], 535, [3]; [4], 544, [4]pp., with half-titles, ONE OF 50 LARGE PAPER COPIES, 37 engraved plates (without the ëPresentation in the Templeí plate which was not ready at publication and occurs in only a very few copies and the ëPortrait of Los Riosí which Windle & Pippin suggest is an extra-illustration), also without the engraved portrait of Dibdin by Henry Mayer, numerous woodcuts engraved vignettes, several printed in red or blue, some mounted, some light spotting and offsetting as usual, marbled endpapers, contemporary full blue-green morocco, decorated in gilt with interlacing geometrical design on the covers, richly tooled gilt morocco doublures, flat spines lettered in gilt direct, all edges gilt, spine slightly faded, corner of lower board of vol. II bumped, some slight edge-wear to bindings otherwise a handsome set. A fine copy of the rare large paper issue of the authorís most lavish publication and the high water of Dibdinian Bibliomania. Jackson 40; Windle & Pippin A28.