SUMMARY
An attractive two volume first edition of the letters of Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield.
First Edition,Illustrated,Leather Binding,Very Scarce
Overall Condition: Very Good
This book weighs 5 KG when packed
UK Postage: £ 4.49
US Postage: £ 42.99
EU Postage: £ 27.99
European Postage: £ 45.99
Asia Postage: £ 74.99
Worldwide Postage: £ 129.99
DESCRIPTION
First edition, second state, with Vol I, P 55, L 16 reading 'qui auroit'
Collated: Complete with half titles and errata slip to the rear of volume II.
Frontispiece to volume I.
A pleasing copy in the original binding with wide margins.
Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield, was a British statesman and man of letters. After Chesterfield's death Eugenia Stanhope, the widow of his illegitimate son, published this work which comprised the thirty year correspondence between Chesterfield and his son, Philip Stanhope. The letters contain discourses on language, geography, history, classical literature and politics. The letters served as a handbook on becoming a gentleman in 18th century life, and it is this work which established Chesterfield's literary reputation.
The circumstances around the publication of the letters caused controversy at the time. Eugenia Stanhope sold the letters for publication after the death of her husband and his father left her unprovided for. The letters, having never been intended for publication originally, were controversial for their perceived immorality and frankness, as well as the scandal surrounding their publication. They were later reprinted several times and were incredibly popular as an insight into 18th century society.
CONDITION
In full calf bindings with contrasting spine labels. Externally, sound with rubbing and wear to extremities. Joints cracked but still reasonably firm. Front joint a little tender to volume I. Ink signature to front free-endpaper of both volumes. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and generally clean. Occasional spotting in places, and offsetting from frontispiece to title and the reverse.
Overall Condition: Very Good
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Overall Condition
(Dustwrapper condition rating is shown after that for the book itself, where a dustwrapper is present)
Fine - Very well preserved copy showing very little wear
Very Good Indeed - Only one or two minor faults, really a very attractive copy
Very Good - Quite a wide term meaning no major faults but probably several smaller ones
often expected given the age of the book, but still a respectable copy
Good - Meaning not very good. Some more serious faults as will
be described in the condition report under 'condition'
Good Only - Meaning one or more faults that could really do with repair
Fair - As with good only above but with other faults
leaving a compromised copy even after repair
Poor - Really bad and possibly seriously incomplete.
We only sell books in this condition where their rarity or value makes them
attractive none the less. Major defects will be described.
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