The Encyclopaedia Britannica - 1852

Edinburgh: Adam and Charles Black,, 1852-60. Nine-tenths of its contents may be said to be absolutely new A handsomely bound set of the scarce eighth edition, containing revisions that were "more thorough than had ever been attempted in any previous edition... It has received so great an accession of original contributions, that nine-tenths of its contents may be said to be absolutely new" (vol. I, pp. xviii-xix). The first edition was published in 1768. 22 volumes, quarto (279 x 216 mm). Contemporary green morocco, spines lettered and richly floral-tooled in gilt, twin gilt fillets and floral roll bordering covers, board edges ruled in gilt, turn-ins richly gilt, marbled endpapers and edges. With 405 engraved plates, of which numerous double-paged and a few folding, and prolific woodcuts in the text. Bound with half-titles. Vol. XXI lacking pp. 89-96. Ownership signature of one Elizabeth Foster Staniforth on first blank of vol. I. Couple of volumes with marks to covers, light rubbing and wear to extremities, neatly retouched with colour, some offsetting from plates and very occasional foxing, else largely clean throughout; vol. XI with neat paper repair to upper margin of p. 773; vol. XX with closed central tear to fold of plate 38, without loss. A very attractive set indeed.