~ The Spectator 8 Volumes 1749 ~
An eight volume set of The Spectator by Addison, Joseph, Richard Steele [and others], published in 1749 and printed by J. and R. Tonson and S. Draper, London.
The books are hardback, bound in brown leather with gilt detailing.
Each volume has engraved frontispiece and engraved title pages.
~ Dimensions ~
Each volume measures 4 ¼ inches (10.7cm) by 7 inches (17.7cm). As a set, they take up 7 ¼ inches (18.5cm) of shelf space and weigh 2.373Kg.
~ Condition ~
The books are good condition for their age. The covers are reasonably worn but the spines are sound and the pages are quite clean with not too much foxing. There are some republished paper clippings of The Spectator pasted into the cover of the 1st volume and some pencil marks in the front covers of several of the books.
~ The Spectator ~
The Spectator was a daily publication founded by Joseph Addison and Richard Steele in England, lasting from 1711 to 1712. the original run were collected into seven volumes. The paper was revived without the involvement of Steele in 1714, appearing thrice weekly for six months, and these papers when collected formed the eighth volume.
One of the principal conceits of The Spectator is its fictional narrator, ‘Mr. Spectator’. 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.
