The Spectator.

Publisher: London, Printed for J. Bumpus, et al., 1819

Stock code: 52157

Price: £375

The Spectator was one of the first British periodicals, originally published daily in 1711 and 1712. Appealing to the growing numbers of middle class traders and shop keepers in London, Addison estimated it to have been read by a tenth of the city’s population, primarily in coffee shops. The content was innovative and made the gentlemanly culture of letters accessible to a wide audience for the first time. The Spectator was reprinted in book form many times and remained popular through the 19th century.

8 volumes, octavo (210 × 130 mm). Contemporary straight-grained burgundy morocco, titles and elaborate decoration to spines in gilt and in blind, boarders in gilt and in blind, inner dentelles, plain endpapers, gilt edges. Some occasional light foxing and browning to pages, some light restoration to spine tips, spines and boards a little rubbed and worn but overall an attractive set in very good condition.