Bell's Edition. The Poets of Great Britain Complete from Chaucer to Churchill

Bell's Edition. The Poets of Great Britain Complete from Chaucer to Churchill,

At the Apollo Press, by the Martins, Edinburgh 1779 - 1804, In-18 (8.5 x 13.5 cm), 99 parts in 34 bound volumes

Very rare collation of volumes from the famous Bell edition of British poets in uniform binding, which adds up to 101 volumes here and whose printing was widely spread over time, the volumes being sold by author. Volume 8, which brought together parts 5 and 6 of Edmund Spencer's poetic works is unfortunately missing. Some volumes appear for the first time, others are second editions. This particularly important edition for British poetry brings together 39 poets from Chaucer to Charles Churchill and 99 figures (portraits and frontispieces). It is precious because many poets saw their first complete edition this way, notably John Donne.

English binding in contemporary blond sheepskin. Spine decorated with various finishing tools, including a kneeling King, with multiple filets Title piece in green morocco. Overall, clean paper, but some browned leaves with foxing, notably some engravings.