A Second Tale Of A Tub

London, UK: J. Roberts, 1715. Presume 1st . Hardcover. Fair-/No Jacket. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. Seems to match all specifics for First Edition regarding the body of the text. Price given on title page as 3s 6d., book does not have illustrated frontispiece in place. After first 2 endsheets, the Imprimatur is verso 3rd sheet, facing title page. Date 1715 appears on title page w/ imprimatur 1714. Suspect restoration occurred with replacement of endsheets and perhaps boards, (I surmise that spine is original) many years ago. 219 pages (including first 6 on which no roman numerals appear) followed by 5 non-paginated. Pages numbered in roman numerals thru 43, 44 thru 219 in standard English characters. Collated in octavo manner (with unsigned pages at front), size measures 7 1/2 x 4 7/8". A few notes from the books previous owner/collector, "Old calf, cut marbled edge. satire of Robert Hartley, first Earl of Oxford M_____ Favorite Of Queen Anne. Many demands for the at time it came out in D & P catalog. Probably First Edition, Harley did not fall until death of Queen Anne. 1962." Details regarding the books condition as follows. The text has been nicely protected by the boards, while it has some age darkening and the ripple that seems typical of the era, it is heavy and attractive, I see no dog ear or notable chip, supple I might say. Sheets at the extremes do have more darkening and so forth. The first pastedown has 3 lightly penciled notes from the books previous owner, I will not try to erase. First endsheet has exquisite, very old penned note re the book, signed Cornelius Paine. 4 small penned notes appear on title page, ie authors actual name, initials M.H. in top margin, etc. As mentioned above, the endsheets look just a bit too new to be original and the boards have the look of having been rehinged at the spine. Front board nearly cracked thru, close to detatched. Back board less so but surely coming detached as well. Leather spine labeled "History of Robert Powel" with gilt illustrations has surface chipping of one half inch at head and foot, believe it to be original. The edges of this label (Powel's name) is chipping away. Leather boards have fine line of gilt trim at edges. Age appropriate wear, tip abrasion. Now stored as close to airtight as possible in acid free clear glassine sleeve. Photograph will follow shortly.