The Annual Register, Or a View of the History, Politicks, and Literature of the Years 1758-1771. London: R. and J. Dodsley, 1762-1772.
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The first few volumes cover the entirety of the Seven Years' War, a global conflict that involved most of the great powers of the time. The war had significant consequences for Europe, North America, Central America, West Africa, India, and the Philippines, and the volumes for 1758-1763 are one of the greatest contemporary historical accounts of this war.
The set also later discusses the state of the British empire and British politics during the lead-up to the American Revolutionary War and subsequent declaration of independence. The volumes present here describe early signs of colonial unrest and the various acts imposed by Britain that angered the Americans, giving a first-hand account of the British perspective while America remained a colony.
A fantastic set, scarcely encountered, in lovely contemporary full calf bindings with early provenance in British aristocratic circles. Mixed editions, many first editions, some second and third.
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Size: 135 x 210 mm (approx., each)
Condition:
Contemporary full calf bindings, each with raised bands, the first five volumes lacking their tooled labels, the subsequent volumes retaining theirs. Bindings rubbed, some minor losses in places, most backstrips deteriorated at heads. Joints rubbed, some cracked, but with all boards attached, bindings secure, and without shelf lean. Some scuffs, losses at corners, etc, as typical. Top page edges dulled as typical. Bookplate attached to front pastedown of William Panlett, Esq, some volumes with the near contemporary ownership inscription of Eliza Favisham (?). Endpapers toned as commensurate with the calf bindings. Internally generally very clean, mildly toned, the occasional few spots of foxing, but overall very good through each volume, each being legible, some having some minor dampstaining but the majority without.
