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London: Hooper and Wigstead, 1772 - 1778. 8 volume set, 11 inches tall. Beautifully bound in the 18th century in full tree calf in exceptional condition, inside and out. With gilt bands, twin labels and superb delicate gilt tooling to the panels. Full page engraved views together with maps and plans throughout. The armorial bookplate of Maxwell of Kirkconnell. A remarkably fine set.

London: Strahan and Cadell, 1785. 9 volume set, 8.5 inches tall. A spectacular 18th century tree calf, unrestored and in pristine condition with gilt bands, triple labels and ornate gilt tooling to the panels. Yellow edges. With an engraved frontispiece, portrait and 307 engraved plates of which 7 are folding. A magnificent set of the English translation of the work of "the father of all thought in natural history in the second half of the 18th century" (Ernst Mayr).

Paris: Chez L'Auteur, 1786-1803. 20 volume set, 6.75 inches tall. A rare set in a fine binding with gilt bands, twin labels and dense gilt tooling to the panels. The tree calf of the panels in framed within gilt rolls. Red speckled edges. The first volume is a second issue the remaining volumes all first. A fascinating and terrifying collection of trials from ancient times but with a great emphasis on those executed in the French Revolution, the last two unfortunates being Marie-Antoinette and her sister in law Elizabeth. A rare item in superb condition.

London: J.Johnson et al, 1798. 10 volume set, 7.5 inches tall. Splendid bindings, bound by the great Christian Kalthoeber, and with his ticket. Full 18th century tree calf with gilt 'Greek key' bands, twin labels and charming gilt floral tools to the panels. Fine gilt rolls frame the tree calf of the boards. With the armorial bookplate of Edward Astle. There is a slight nick to the head cap of volume 4 and a one inch split to the head of volume 1, but still a superb set by one of the greatest London binders of his period.

London: Cadell & Davies, 1802-1804. 13 volume set, 8.5 inches tall. Superb tree calf from the very beginning of the nineteenth century with gilt bands, green label and delicate gilt tooling to the panels. Full page engraved portraits of the authors, all the monarchs and important historical figures. Neat early ink owners name at the head of each title page. A fine set of this celebrated History of England.

London: Strahan, Cadell and Davies, 1797. 3 volume set, 8.5 inches tall. A beautiful 18th century tree calf with gilt bands and labels. Blue speckled edges. Portraits. The armorial bookplate of Sir William Forbes of Pitsligo and his signature at the head of the title page. The first edition of this near contemporary account.

Edinburgh: Adam & Charles Black, 1852; 1856; Edmonston and Douglas, 1874. 5 volumes, 9 inches tall. Superb full tree calf by Henderson & Bisset with gilt raised bands, twin labels and very fine gilt tooling to the panels. A gilt roll frames the tree calf boards. Gilt top edges. The bookplates of Knockderry Castle and George Wilson and a neat ink previous owner's name on the first blank. Portraits. A splendid collection of the works of this celebrated Scottish judge, lawyer and literary figure.

London: John Murray, 1854. 3 volume set, 8.5 inches tall. A superb mid-Victorian full tree calf with gilt raised bands, twin labels and extra gilt panels. A Greek key roll frames the boards. With the bookplate of William Preston of Ellel Grange. A most attractive set of this classic work on the Literature of Europe in the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth Centuries.

Paris: (Cosson for) Gosselin and Ladvocat, 1822. 4 volume set, 7 inches tall. Quarter calf with gilt bands, twin labels and charming gilt tooling to the panels. With the binders ticket. One of several French editions of The Pirate published in the same year as the first (1822). Dargan notes that our edition (published in December) was preceded by the edition for the collected works (February) and that an unauthorised anonymous translation (Le Pirate, ou les Flibustiers) also appeared in February.

Paris, aris: [Lachvardière for] Charles Gosselin 1829. 5 volume set, 7 inches tall. Quarter calf with gilt bands, twin labels and charming gilt tooling to the panels.First edition in French of Anne of Geierstein; or, the Maiden of the Mist (Edinburgh, 1829), which though separately issued also formed part of the Oeuvres complètes, as stated on the half-titles.

London: John Walker, 1794. 4 volume set, 8.5 inches tall. A most attractive Georgian full tree calf with gilt raised bands, twin labels and delightful gilt tooling to the panels. The tree calf is framed with a gilt Greek roll. Yellow edges. Loss to one headcap, some rubbing and occasional superficial loss of leather to a long defunct insect, but still a fine looking set of the poetical works of this great satirist.

Dublin: William Curry, 1843-1844. 3 volume set, 9 inches tall. A stunning tree calf by Riviere with gilt raised bands, twin, slightly faded, labels and very fine gilt tooling to the panels. Wide gilt dentelles and top edges. Illustrated by Phiz. Bookplates. Some foxing to the preliminaries, otherwise a lovely set of Lever's Military "Our Mess" novels.

London: Strahan & Cadell, 1793. 2 volume set, 8.5 inches tall. An attractive full 18th century tree calf with gilt bands, twin labels and gilt tooling to the panels. Yellow edges. An interesting account of life in these countries with 'anecdotes relating to some eminent characters' (including Voltaire and Frederick the Great).

London, 1783. 2 volume set, 7.25 inches tall. Full tree calf with raised bands, twin labels and very fine gilt panels. An exceptionally elegant set in fine condition.

London: Longman, 1801. 2 volume set, 6.5 inches tall. A superb little set with gilt bands and exquisite gilt tooling, typical of the very beginning of the 19th century. Blue speckled edges. A scarce early edition of the Sermons of this famous English wit, writer and Anglican.

London: Richard Bentley, 1858. 2 volume set, 8.5 inches tall. A splendid tree calf binding with gilt raised bands, twin labels and very fine and ornate gilt tooling to the panels. A floral gilt roll frames the tree calf boards. Bookplate. There are some minor abrasions but overall a delightful copy of this great work.

London: Macmillan, 1910. Full calf, 8.5 inches tall. A classic Edwardian tree calf by Hunt with gilt raised bands, twin labels and fine gilt tooling to the panels. Gilt embossed prize block of Wellington College to the upper boards and a prize bookplate on the paste down endpaper. A handsome set of this great historical and philosophical novel set in Rome in 161–177 AD.

London: Faulder, Egerton, and Williams, 1789. 2 volume set, 8.5 inches tall. A most attractive 18th century tree calf with gilt bands, twin labels and elegant gilt tooling to the panels. There is some splitting to the joints of the upper boards but the books are still firm and tight.

London: Chapman & Hall, 1932. Full calf, 8.5 inches tall. A classic 'prize' tree calf binding by Morrell with gilt raised bands, twin labels and fine gilt floral tooling to the panels. With a gilt roll framing a prize stamp and the tree calf boards. A prize bookplate. Full page illustrations by Phiz.