Finely Bound Sets Belsham (1 results)

1st Edition. 216 x 130 mm. (8 1/2 x 5 1/8"). 10 volumes (First work: two volumes; second work: two volumes; third work: six volumes). ATTRACTIVE CONTEMPORARY TREE CALF, smooth spines divided into panels by gilt rules, one red and one black morocco label. Front pastedown stamped in ink "Ashley Combe"; front free endpaper with ink library stamp of Ben Damph Forest. ?A couple of boards with short scratches, two volumes with corners gently bumped, occasional minor browning, isolated faint spotting or smudges, other trivial imperfections, but A FINE SET, with few indications of use, inside or out. This collection of British and royal histories comes in beautiful bindings and with distinguished provenance: it was part of the impressive library of William King, Lord Lovelace, and his wife Ada. Its inkstamp indicates it was in the library of Ashley Combe, the spectacular Lovelace estate in Somerset, as well as the family's Scottish hunting lodge known as Ben Damph Forest. William King, eighth Baron King of Ockham (1805-93), lord lieutenant of Surrey, and first Earl of Lovelace is best known for having a remarkable wife--the brilliant mathematician Augusta Ada Byron, sole legitimate child of Lord Byron, whose work with Charles Babbage produced what is considered the first computer program. The house at Ashley Combe was central to Lovelace and Babbage's scientific work, as much of their collaboration and discussions took place during Babbage's visits to the house. The binding commissioned by Lord Lovelace is ornate but tasteful, and the set is very much in "country house"--or in this case, hunting lodge--condition. The radical Whig and a supporter of the American Revolution, William Belsham (1752-1827) was an English historian and political writer whose considerable output comprised a lasting contribution to the understanding of the historical currents of his time. FIRST EDITION of the first work; Second Edition of the second work; Third Edition of the third work.