"A SMALL AND JUDICIOUS SELECTION FROM A VERY VOLUMINOUS AND MISCELLANEOUS WORK"

[WALKER, John, editor]. A Selection of Curious Articles from the Gentleman's Magazine. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme; and J. Munday, 1809. Three volumes. Octavo, contemporary tree calf rebacked in period style, dark red morocco spine labels. $750.

First edition of these curated highlights from one of the most important periodicals of the 18th century, in contemporary tree calf boards.

England's Gentleman's Magazine, founded by Edward Cave under the pseudonym "Sylvanus Urban," was so influential that its impact extended to America where, in 1741, Benjamin Franklin's General Magazine was chiefly "patterned after London's ten-year-old Gentleman's Magazine" (Isaacson, 118). The three volumes of selections here cover "Researches, Historical and Antiquarian," "Ancient and Modern Literature, Criticism, and Philology," "Philosophy and Natural History," "Letters to and from Eminent Persons" and "Miscellaneous Articles, Including Anecdotes of Extraordinary Persons, Useful Projects and Inventions, &c." The third volume includes four items by Franklin: letters to John Alleyne, the Earl of Buchan, and an unidentified recipient who was borrowing money from Franklin; and the "Useful Hints for learning to swim." A fourth volume was not printed until 1811 and is not present here. Inked owner name on front flyleaves.

Occasional light spotting or toning, contents overall clean; minor rubbing to board extremities. A handsome, interesting set.