POEMS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.
London: Printed for Jacob Tonson at Shakespear's-Head over against Katharinde-Street in the Strand, and John Barber uopn Lambeth-Hill, 1718.
"Superfine" issue of the First Folio large paper Subscription Edition, with the watermark of a shield surmounted by a fleur-de-lys. Folio (18.5"). (xvi, title and dedication) (iv, preface and postscript) (xx, subscribers list), 506p (vi, contents). Illustrated with engravings by B. Baron after L. Cheron: frontispiece, title vignette, head- and tail-pieces and initials throughout. Bound "Harleian" style in full morocco over thick boards, the spine in eight densely gilt panels with a red title label, the covers with wide gilt rolled frames and central lozenge device, denteles, marbled endpapers. Housed in morocco-lined cloth slipcase. Mild cover wear, but quite a nice copy, tide mark to top of blank flyleaf, remainder quite clean and free of foxing. Item #23859
The printer was John Watts "probably the most important English printer of the first half of the century... the ornamentation of his books, whether engraved or woodcut, is notable for its high standards." (PMM exhibition catalogue, p. 36, no. 103 in the fine printing section).
A masterpiece of printing and illustration, rare in this issue.
With the book plate of Charles Earl of Arran, subscriber to the edition.
NCBEL 2:489.
Price: $3,500.00