The Spectator. Volume the First [to Volume to Eighth]. CRISP, CLEAN SET IN CONTEMPORARY TREE CALF

8 vols., 12mo., on laid paper, with eight engraved frontispieces and title-vignettes; most attractively bound in contemporary full tree calf, backs framed in gilt with five flat bands ruled and tooled in gilt, second and fifth compartments with black leather labels lettered, ruled and tooled in gilt, all other compartments tooled in gilt with a stylised blossom, primrose edges, a few light age-stains to backstrips else a remarkably well-preserved, bright, crisp, clean copy. With the small bookplate of Gerard Paxon on front paste-downs. The engravings are by Charles Grignion after drawings by Francis Hayman. The full list of publishers is Messrs Payne, Rivington, Davis, Longman, Dodsley, White, Law, Rodson, Crowder, Johnson, Nichols, Dilly, Robinson, Cadell, Stuart, Bowles, Sewell, Murray, Flexney, Baldwin, Goldsmith, Lowndes, Knox, Otridge, Hayes, Piquinet, Macqueen & Newbury. The Spectator appeared in two separate series, the first edited by Steele and published on weekdays from 1 March 1711 to 6 December 1712 (issues 1-555); the second edited by Addison and published thrice weekly from 18 June to 20 December 1714 (issues 556-635). The two series were first published in eight successive volumes between 1711 and 1714, and several times during the remainder of the eighteenth century. A beautiful set. NCBEL II, 1098.…