British Essayists With Prefaces, Historical and Biographical

London: J Johnson, J Nichols and Son et al., 1802-1803. Hardback. Good. 6.5" by 4". None. The complete 45 volumes of this edition of British Essayists. With prefaces, both historical and biographical by Alexander Chalmers. Chalmers was a Scottish writer. He published a General Biographical Dictionary, Glossary to Shakespeare as well as several other reference works. The following periodicals are present across these volumes, in addition to the final volume which is an index. Vols I-V The Tatler Vols VI-XV The Spectator Vols XVI-XVIII The Guardian Vols XIX-XXII Rambler Vols XXIII-XXV Adventurer Vols XXVI-XXIX The World Vols XXX-XXXII The Connoisseur Volumes XXXIII-XXXIV The Idler. XXXV-XXXVII The Mirror XXXVIII-XL Lounger XLI-XLIV The Observer. XLV Index Volume Illustrated, with a frontispiece to volumes I, II, VI, VII, XVI, XVII, XIX, XXIII, XXIV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVIII, XXX, XXXI, XXXIII, XXXV and XLI. Scarce to find a complete set of this work. These volumes comprise of numerous essays from famous periodicals written by several famed essayists such as Richard Steele and Joseph Addison. In uniform half calf bindings with paper covered boards. Externally, rubbed to the spines particularly to the head and tail. Further rubbing to the extremities resulting in small losses in places. A few marks to the boards of volumes including some fading to edges. Front hinge to volumes III, XVIII, XXI, XXXIV and is slightly strained but firm. Both hinges to volumes V, VI, XIV, XVI, XXV and XXX are slightly strained but firm. Small loss to the head of spine to volume VII. Rear hinge to volume VIII is slightly strained but firm. Loss to head of spine to volume X. Small loss to the spine of volume XVIII at bottom third. Front hinge to volume XIX is tender with the rear hinge slightly strained but firm. Loss to the head and tail of spine to volume XIX. Tidemark to front board of volume XI. Loss to the head and tail of spine to volume XXIV. Loss to the head and tail of spine to volumes XXVI, XXVIII, XXX and XXXVIII. Small loss to head of spine of volume XXXI. Front hinge to volume XXXI is tender with binding of first gathering strained. Light foxing to title page of volume XXXIII. Cracks to front joint of volume XLI resulting in it being starting but firm. The front joint to volume XLI is tender. Internally, all volumes are firmly bound. Pages are age toned with spotting to the first and last few pages and instances of light scattered spots. Good