- British Public Characters of 1798

London, R Phillips, 1798. Leather. A scarce collection of biographical sketches of seventy-one British public figures with a fold-out frontiepiece with thirty portraits. First edition. Missed by Cowie, this is the earliest appearance of a Nelson biographical reference. "In every point of view, we are warranted in concluding, that Lord Nelson has rendered a most important service to humanity by his late and decisive victory. If the hostile cabinets of Europe should prudently avail themselves of its impression upon the enemy. an honourable and glorious peace may be the happy result." He takes pride of place as the first character in the folding frontis, probably because of his recent victory at Aboukir referred to above. Some of the other notables include Lord Nelson, Mr Fox, Dr. Darwin, Lord Monboddo, Isaac D'Israeli, Mrs. Siddons, William Herschel and Joseph Priestley. It was very popular and was reprinted many times, forming the first in a series of these types of works. Very good internally but in need of rebacking for the original full calf binding. Priced accordingly to allow for this. Bound by C. Kalthoeber, London with binder's label to verso of front free endpaper. In a tree calf binding. Externally, sound but with front board detached, slight wear to extremities and spine label absent. Rear joint starting slightly. Internally, firmly bound. Bright but with the occasional handling mark and slight spotting to first and last few pages. Good . Ill.: None. Good .

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