Descrizione

3 vols., 4to., Sole Edition thus, with an engraved portrait frontispiece and an engraved portrait, some moderate (but largely marginal) damp-marking to first volume; second and third volumes in contemporary full calf, backs with five raised bands, neatly rebacked in calf to style, first volume in modern full calf to style, new leather labels gilt, a very good, crisp, firm set . With the list of subscribers, and additional list of subscribers, together totalling only some 170 names including those of Daines Barrington (friend, correspondent of Gilbert White) Edmund Burke, David Garrick and General Charles Lee. The list of subscribers in interesting; excluding the nobility the list demonstrates a wide coverage of the social and professional classes, and six women are listed which seems a healthy proportion for the period. One subscriber's name, that of 'Estcourt Cheswell' has the surname neatly amended in a contemporary hand to read 'Creswell'. Although there are no other indications as to individual ownership, this may have been his copy. As late as 1791 Creswell was a freeholder of the county of Gloucestershire resident near Cirencester. Marvell's 'Works', containing Poems, Satires and a few Letters, were first edited by Cooke (2 vols., 1726; reprinted 1772). To these are now added the Prose Works, further Letters, including those to the Corporation of Hull (which Marvell represented in Parliament) and the majority of his pamphlets. Thompson's 'Life' appears here for the first time. The most complete early collection of Marvell's poetry and prose, elegantly and clearly printed and with broad margins. CBEL: I, p.460.