The Spectator Set 1753 6 of 8 Leather - 1753

Description

Many powerful figures on America's founding owned a copy of The Spectator including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and Alexander Hamilton. Original Edition -1753 -The Spectator- 6 Volumes of 8 total printed Publisher-Printing Location: Printed for J. and R. Tonson and S. Draper London Date and Numbering:MDCCLII 1753 Volume 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 Size and Page Count: 4" X 6.5" Tall Condition: -Very Good- Half Leather Bound with marble paper boards. Leather cracking on spine covers, Hindges work, some foxing or darker areas on end paper. Text blocks tight and complete. Private library Emblem on inside of front boards of earlier owner "William Benj Marshall" Illustrations Information: -------- An excellent opportunity for the collector, researcher or historian --------- Volume 1 # 1 March 1 to #80 June 1, 1711 Volume 2 #81 June 2 to #169 September 13, 1711 Volume 5 #322 March 10 to #394 June 2, 1712 Volume 6 #395 June 3 to #473 September 2, 1712 Volume 7 #474 September 3 to #555 December 6, 1712 Volume 8 #556 June 18, 1714 to #635 December 20, 1714 Each Volume includes a Frontispiece, Dedication and Index A partial set of 'The Spectator Volumes' The Spectator was a daily publication of 1711 and 1712 and the Eighth Volume in 1714 thrice weekly for six months. The publication was founded by Joseph Addison and Richard Steele in England after they met at Charterhouse School. Eustace Budgell, a cousin of Addison's, also contributed to the publication. Despite a modest daily circulation of approximately 3,000 copies, The Spectator was widely read through England. Joseph Addison estimated that each number was read by 60,000 Londoners, about a tenth of the capital's population at the time. Each 'paper', or 'number', was approximately 2,500 words long, and the original run consisted of 555 numbers. These were collected into seven volumes. The paper was revived without the involvement of Steele in 1714 and produced volume 8. One of the principal conceits of The Spectator is its fictional narrator, Mr. Spectator. The first number is dedicated to his life story. Mr. Spectator speaks very little, communicating mainly through facial gestures. His unassuming profile enables him to circulate widely throughout society and fulfill his position as "spectator". He comments on the habits, foibles and social faux pas of his fellow citizens. He also notes the irony of his volubility in prose compared to his taciturnity in daily life. Many powerful figures owned a copy of The Spectator including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and Alexander Hamilton.