WALPOLE’S CATALOGUE OF ROYAL AND NOBLE AUTHORS OF ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND IRELAND, BEAUTIFULLY BOUND

WALPOLE, Horace. A Catalogue of the Royal and Noble Authors of England, Scotland, and Ireland. London: John Scott, 1806. Five volumes. Octavo, contemporary full black straight-grain morocco, elaborately gilt-decorated spines and boards, all edges gilt. $1100.

First enlarged edition, edited by Thomas Park, beautifully bound with 125 aquatint portraits.

First published in 1758 in two volumes at Walpole’s famous Strawberry Hill Press, this Catalogue contains extensive notes on famous British authors and their works. The volumes are arranged chronologically, beginning with Richard I in Volume I and proceeding to numerous “Noble Authors” in subsequent volumes. This edition is notable for the contributions of editor Thomas Park, “who carefully verified and diligently augmented the labours of the original author” (Britannica). Lowndes 2818.

Scattered light foxing to text and plates. A beautifully bound copy.