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Windsor: Printed for the Author and sold by C. Knight, 1786-87, Second Edition. A partial run of 28 of the original issues of the most important school periodical of the last part of the 18th century, produced at Eton and widely noticed in London and elsewhere. 331pp; together 28 numbers in 1 volume, bound in later red morocco, gilt lined borders on covers, gilt titles with lavish gilt decoration to the spine. James Toovey stamped to the base of the front free end paper, Toovey was a bookseller in Picadilly in the 1800s. The British Library records 1 copy of this edition at Eton and 5 in other Libraries worldwide of this Charles Knight sold edition. Title and number, with issue date, repeated as caption at head of first page of text in each issue. Written by a group of friends while at Eton; includes essays on the conduct of life and other cultural and philosophical topics, written as letters from pseudonymous or imaginary correspondents. "Gregory Griffin" is a pseudonym; the principal authors include: George Canning, John Hookham Frere, John and Robert Smith, and Charles Ellis. As The Microcosm attracted the attention of the public, the demand for copies rapidly increased, and it was necessary to reprint the early issues. Consequently, sets are generally found bound up with a general title-p. bearing an additional London imprint, and with the first half dozen or so numbers designated "second" or "third" edition. There were also within a few years, a number of collected reprints. Full red morocco binding with gilt lined decoration around the edges of both boards, some rubbing to the joints, marbled paste downs with gilt dentelles together with a gilt crest to the front paste down. 331pp Approximately 8 ¾ inches tall. Condition Report Externally Spine good condition gilt titles, 5 raised gilt bands separating 6 compartments, 5 of which are lavishly decorated in gilt, some rubbing to some of the bands, the outer tips of the spine are also gilt with some wear. Joints good condition sound, worn with some creasing to the leather. Corners good condition gently bumped and worn. Boards good condition red morocco leather with gilt linen decoration around the edges, the outer edges of the board are also gilt, however, this has worn in places. Page edges good condition all gilt. See above and photos. Internally Hinges good condition paper cracked to front joint, leather sound and intact. Paste downs good condition marbled with gilt dentelles, the front paste down has a gilt leather crest towards the top in the name of John Delaware Lewis, there is also a small label with the number 228 in the top left hand corner. End papers good condition marbled with some foxing around the edges, free end papers are tanned and foxed. Title good condition tanned and foxed, the title page is dirty and darkened with some black marks, the top right hand corner is missing, the bottom edge is untrimmed and the page looks shorter that the others. Pages good condition No. I to No. 28 Microcosm in one volume, pages are tanned and foxed throughout. Binding good condition sound. See photos Publisher: see above. Publication Date: 1786 Binding: Hardback. Seller Inventory # ABE-1567542108823
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