THE GENERAL BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY containing A Historical and Critical Account of the Lives and Writings . 32 vols.

Chalmers, Alexander 34a

Published by Printed for J Nichols & Son. 1812-17, London

About this Item

GOOD to VG set. VG to NEAR FINE internally. Initially published in 1761, then in 1784 & expanded to 15 vols in 1798-1810. Chalmers took this 15 vol edition, which was principly edited by William Tooke, and to 32 vols. 1908 DNB says: "No man ever edited so many works as Chalmers for the booksellers of London. . But the work on which his fame as a biography chiefly rests is [this 32 vol set]". First 4 vols were printed monthly starting in May 1812, last vol in Mar 1817. Each vol has own index. Vol 32 has a general index. Full calf. 6 spine compartments. 2nd a gilt lettered red leather title label, 3rd a gilt lettered black leather vol # label. Blank panels all decorated & edge ruled in gilt. Board surfaces double edge ruled in blind. Board edges gilt devorated. Likely some sort of EX LIBRARY. Each vol with bookplate of Irish college and a locator label on spine heel. No other EXLIB markings. Contemporary bkplts. The NEAR FINE text condition and overall light cover wear indicates these were non circulating and may have been an academics personal library. CONDITION: All spines, edges & extrems with light wear, spine ends with 1/4" chips, weak hinges. Vol 4 front board detached. Vol 1 & 6 boards holding only by cords, backstrip left heel area chipped away, vol 32 backstrip cracked at center. All pre & postlims moderately foxed. Text largely free of foxing, aging, soiling, etc. BUT: vols 5-19 pre & postlims damp stained. All told a decent & useful set. WARNING, APPEARANCE NOT AS GOOD AS THE PIX. GOOD to VG set. 1st thus ed. VG to NEAR FINE internally. Seller Inventory # 001088

Bibliographic Details

Title: THE GENERAL BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY ...

Publisher: Printed for J Nichols & Son. 1812-17, London

Binding: Hardcover

Edition: 1st ed thus.