A Collection of Scarce and Valuable Tracts, on the Most Interesting and Entertaining Subjects: but Chiefly such as Relate to the History and Constitution of these Kingdoms + Essay on the Life and Character of John Lord Somers (Complete in 16 Vols.)

London: 1748-1751, F. Cogan (Vol. 2-16) and J.Holl (Vol. 1). Complete 16 volume set, uniformly rebound in what is believed to be a contemporaneous brown leather binding. All volumes feature gilt edged text blocks, which remains intact and shiny, with sewn in brown book ribbons. The spines feature raised bands, as well as gilt stamped decorative markings both above and in-between the bands. Gilt stamped across the spine are: the set title 'Lord Somers's Tracts' across the upper third; the individual volume number across the center; and the printing location (London) and print year of the individual volume across the bottom third. All volumes feature signs of shelfwear and age: rubbing to front and rear joints, as well as along the spines. Both the top and bottom edges of the boards feature signs of rubbing, and all top edges features minor duststaining. Individual volume condition notes found below: Vol. 1: First two front free end-paper have separated from the binding entirely. Severe rubbing to front joint, significant rubbing to rear joint of binding. Cracking along outer front joint, clean through to inner hinger on front board. Board remains attached, though delicate. Partial remaining sticker with the number '427/16' remains at the head of the spine. Significant chipping/rubbing to the base of the spine, exposing the sewn binding, (sewn binding remains tight and intact). Small, dark, circular markings along edges of the text-block, revealing a previously marbled edge beneath the current gilt. Pages show signs of minor foxing and duststaining throughout, but remain perfect and readable otherwise. This volume includes an inserted piece of ephemera: a print of Lord John Somers, previously folded to fit beneath the volume's front board. Vol. 2: Front board entirely separated from binding (remains intact in and of itself, possible re-attachable). Tail of spine features minor rubbing and chipping, head features significant rubbing, exposing the sewn binding, as well as a 1/4 inch flap of the leather binding that is separating from the whole. Rubbing to the bottom corner of the rear board at the fore-edge. Pages feature minor duststaining, but otherwise remain intact, perfect and readable. Vol. 3: Cracking along the lower half of the front joint, as well as a small crack along the lower half of the rear joint. Pages show signs of minor duststaining. Binding remains tight and intact, pages are complete and perfect. Vol. 4: Rubbing and flaking along front and rear joints. Cracking along top 1/3 of rear joint and bottom 1/2 of front joint along spine. Cracking along front joint is all the way through, with front board beginning to separate from the rest of the binding. Handle with caution. Trade records between England and France from Nov. 29th, 1678 are laid in immediately prior to the rear free endpapers. Textblock shows minor signs of foxing throughout, but is otherwise complete, perfect and readable. Vol. 5: Rubbing and flaking along front and rear joints, as well as head and tail of spine. 1/4 inch piece missing from tail of spine, exposing sewn binding. Binding remains tight and intact, textblock is complete and perfect. Pages show minor signs of duststaining and foxing throughout, but remain perfectly readable. A laid-in portrait of John Lord Somers is present after the initial free end-papers, folded to fit within the parameters of the binding. Vol. 6: Rubbing and minor flaking along front and rear joints of boards, as well as head and tail of spine. Cracking between 2nd and 3rd pages of the 'Contents' section along binding, pages remain tight and readable. Signs of foxing throughout textblock, pages remain overall tight and perfect. Vol. 7: Minor rubbing at head and tail of spine, minor flaking at tail of spine. Edges show signs of minor shelfwear. Duststaining to top edge. Slight creasing/cracking along front and rear joints, very minor with no affect to overall durability of volume. Pages show minor signs of duststaining.