Plutarch's Lives in Eight Volumes. Translated from the Greek. To which is prefixed, The Life of Plutarch, Written by Mr. John Dryden. London: J. and R. Tonson, 1749.
A BEAUTIFUL SET OF PLUTARCH'S LIVES IN CONTEMPORARY BINDINGS. RARE WITH THE NINTH VOLUME, PUBLISHED SIMULTANEOUSLY AND RELEASED WITH THE MAIN SET.
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A fantastic set of Plutarch's Lives, a very fine production with lovely illustrated plates throughout, here being exceptionally complete with the ninth volume (General Table), beautifully bound in contemporary full calf bindings. Especially nice to be a matching set, having stayed together since the time of publication, with early English ownership of Daniel Mathew, with his bookplate to each front pastedown and ownership inscription to title pages.
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Size: 88 x 125 mm (approx., each)
Condition:
Uniform contemporary full calf bindings, compartments lined in gilt between raised bands to the spines, with 7/9 volumes retaining their original tooled red morocco labels, lacking to the first and fifth volumes. Bindings rubbed, more so to the first three and number eight, but generally remaining very attractive on the shelf indeed. Joints rubbed, some cracked, but with all boards securely attached. A beautiful set. Top edges uniformly dulled as typical. Bookplate to front pastedown in each volume with corresponding ownership inscription across title pages, generally not obscuring. Text blocks mildly toned throughout, very clean. The set does have a shelf lean, as pictured, but each volume stands independently, some with a lean, thus causing an overall lean to the set. An excellent set.
[ESTC T83878; OCLC 731622040].
