About this Item
31.5x25cm (12¼"x9¾"). First edition. The early-18th century tobacco box and later silver cases of the society engraved with views of historical events including the fireworks display in St. James's in celebration of the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, Keppel's action off Ushant (together with a courtroom scene of his acquittal after Court Martial), and the Battles of the Nile, Trafalgar and Waterloo, with busts of notable personalities such as the Duke of Cumberland (after the engraving by Hogarth), Fox, Pitt, Nelson, and Wellington, and with various inscriptions. Engraved title-page with vignette; followed by pp11(1) with two engraved vignette tailpieces, 34 engraved plates (Nos. 5 & 6 comprising a single double-page plate, and Nos. 10 & 11 a single folding plate), and 2pp list of subscribers. Title-page faintly dust- & handling-marked at outer corners and fore-edge, with tan spot-stain of diameter up to 1.5cm over but not obscuring four letters of 'Inscriptions' in title, with a few minor spots & specks elsewheres, and owner's name of some age towards upper outer corner inside of plate mark. Hinges strained between plates 9 & 10/11, 10/11 & 12, and 18 & 19. Plate 31 nicked at upper edge, outside of plate mark. Both text and plates with occasional faint handling marks confined to margins, and occasional isolated minor spots. All edges untrimmed, narrow strips along some of the more protruding edges lightly toned and/or faintly dust-marked. Original plain beige paper-covered boards backed in later untitled dark green roan; original endpapers. Boards lightly rubbed, with handling & other markings, and a few minor bumps at edges; outer corners worn to extent of being rounded. The roan backing of some age functional only and amateurishly applied, not being pared at junctions with boards; spine section rubbed, with loss at head and tail and over three small patches shared with heavily rubbed rear hinge. Front hinge rubbed, but to lesser degree than rear. Both hinges with splits at heads and tails. Endpapers a little toned, sparsely spotted, and split along hinges; hinges a little slack. Ownership stamp on front pastedown. Both front and rear flyleaves creased, that at front untidily so as well as being almost detached and with spot-stain corresponding to that on title-page. Main contents a little shaken in parts, though generally clean, crisp, and in near fine condition. GOOD+ copy. Contained in recent sturdy custom-made green cloth-covered box in excellent condition; with hinged lid, green leather label titled "Tobacco Box - 1824" in gilt, and beige paper lining on the insides.
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