1700s Fables by Mr. Gay 2 Volume Engravings 3rd & 1st editions Tonson & Knapton
When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
1700s Fables by Mr. Gay 2 Volume Engravings 3rd & 1st editions Tonson & Knapton:
$795.48
FULL TITLE: FABLES BY MR. GAY & FABLES BY THE LATE MR. GAY
Free Worldwide Shipping
Language by English
Written by John Gay
Volume 1 Published by printed in London, M DCC XXIX,published by J. Tonson and J. Watts, 1729.
Volume 2 Published by J & P Knapton and T Cox, printed at Ludgate-Street, London, under the Royal-Exchange, 1738.
DESCRIPTION:
Fables by Mr. Gay & Fables by the late Mr. Gay, with a Life of the Author, complete in 2-volumes, illustrated with elaborate engravings, 3rd edition Volume 1(1729) & 1st edition Volume 2 (1738).
One of the marvels of antiquarian English literature, this is a very rare, illustrated, 2-volume edition of the marvellous and delightfully worded fables by John Gay (30 June 1685 - 4 December 1732). “The first edition of Gay\'s Fables was published in two series, the first by Tonson and Watts in 1727 with illustrations after Gravelot, the second by J & P Knapton and T Cox, in 1738, with illustrations after J Wootton and W Kent. The work was very popular (and) editions were issued in quick succession.” (British Museum, 1871,0812.2719).
Volume 1 of this set is a3rd edition, printed in London, M DCC XXIX,published by J. Tonson and J. Watts, with a dedication to His Highness William duke of Cumberland.
Volume 2,is a 1st edition, printed at Ludgate-Street, London, under the Royal-Exchange, and added to the complete collection, M DCC XXXVIII, published posthumously by J & P Knapton and T Cox. Volume 2 has an advertisement with apost-humous eulogy, dedicating the second volume from the Duke of Queensberry to the audience.
Calf leather bindings of both volumes with delightful line-work. Intricately woven, gold-gilt designs and tooling embellishes the long ago re-backed spines. Ex-libris bookplate of Charles D. Armstrong.
Both volumes are impressively illustrated with numerous detailed B & W engravings. An engravingis given for each fable. Volume 2 with full-length engravings. Both volumes with a title engraving, and Volume 2 also with an engraved frontispiece. Some of the earliest of these very rare & one-of-kind original engravings. 8vo.
CONDITION:
Good condition; both volumes were re-backed quite a long time ago, retaining the boards; contents are complete, the pages are clean and the plates are excellent; occasional foxing and no evidence of any major stains; the contemporary leather boards have moderate to heavy age & edge scuffing & bumped corners, as well as tenderness and cracking of the long ago re-backed board joints of both the volumes; a major stain (not affecting text) darkens the lower inside corner of the leather on the front covers of both volumes, as well as a smaller similar stain on the back cover of Volume 2; the leather of the back cover of volume 1 is without a stain, but the leather of the rebacked spine has major scuffs along the rear-most edge.
BOOK MEASUREMENTS:8 in X 5.25 in
TOTAL LENGTH :(Vol. 1) viii, 194, (Vol. 2) v, 155
Shipped immediately, international worldwide posting, securely posted in air cushioned package, complete as pictured.
Duties & Taxes in the receiver\'s country, if any, are to be borne by the receiver/buyer.
*********
We are happy to answer any questions you may have and can provide further pictures on request.
McClosky\'s carries antique books from the 16thto 20thcentury--feel free to browse.
We offer combined shipping deals!
**********
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter
@McCloskysBooks
Follow our Tarot and Fortune Telling Card Division on Instagram
@AntiqueTarot