A Collection Poems, By Several hands. In Three Volumes

12mo. 17cm, first edition, in 3 volumes, rubricated title pages each with vignette "Three Muses", v,286 & 332 & 446pp., volume indexes, complete with half titles, in ful contemporary speckled brown calf, real raised bands, gilt borders and decorations in the panels, wanting the title labels, wear on the edges, very good to fine sound set (lt.ds). ~ "The intent of the following volumes is to preserve to the public those poetical performances which seemed to merit a longer remembrance than what would probably be secured to them by the manner wherein they were originally published." (Dodsley). Poets include Alexander Pope, Samuel Johnson, George Lyttleton, Horace Walpole, Thomas Tickell, Joseph Warton, William Whitehead, Stephen Duck, Richard West and others. The "Collection" went through numerous editions, expanded and revised into six volumes by 1758. The rare first edition; an attractive set in original bindings.