CHALMERS (Alexander):

The Projector; A Periodical Paper, Originally Published in Monthly Numbers, from January 1802 to November 1809. By Alexander Chalmers, F. S. A. Second Edition Revised and Corrected.

London: Printed by Nichols, Son, and Bentley..., 1815. 3 volumes. Large 8vo, 223 x 126 mms., pp. vii, 422; viii, 415 [416 blank]; vii, 379 [380 blank], including half-title in each volume, original boards, uncut and unopened, paper labels on spines, which are a bit rubbed and chipped, but generally a good set with firm joints, as issued from the press and never read. Chalmers (1759 - 1834) began his career as journalist in the 1770s, and he edited and contributed to numerous newspapers and journals thereafter. His chief biographer, John Bowyer Nichols noted, "no man ever edited so many works for the Booksellers of London." His models were the periodical essays of Addison, Steele, and Johnson. He uses the word "projector" in the sense of one who devises or innovates, even an entrepreneur, though many of the essays are devoted to traditional essay topics in the long 18th century, e. g., "idleness," "the fair sex," etc.

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Book number: 7543

Catalogue: Periodical

Keywords: periodical essays prose

STEELE (Richard), editor:

The Guardian. A New Edition, Carefully Revised. With Prefaces Historical and Biographical by Alexander Chalmers.

London: Printed for F. C. and J. Rivington...[et al], 1822. 2 volumes. Large 8vo, pp. [ii], xxxvi, 427 [428 blank]; [ii], iii [iv blank], 456, including title-pages with engraved vignette, contemporary calf, gilt spines, morocco labels; slight wear to binding, but generally a good set. Alexander Chalmers (1759 - 1834) edited over 40 works for the London booksellers; his edition of The Guardian was first published in 1806.

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Book number: 4598

Catalogue: PERIODICAL

Keywords: PERIODICAL essays prose literature

TOWN (Mr.) [COLMAN (George) and THORNTON (Bonnell)]:

The Connoisseur. By Mr. Town, Critic and Censor-General. The Four Edition.

London: Printed for R. Baldwin..., [1761, 4 volumes. 12mo, 167 x 97 mms., pp. viii, 279 [280 blank]; vii , sic for viii], 279 [280 blank]; viii., 255 [256 blank]; viii, 278, contemporary calf, spines richly gilt in compartments, red and olive green labels; some brown of text and staining of margin of first few leaves in volume, front free end-paper volume 4 creased, joints a little tender, especially volume 1 front joint, but an attractive set. "In September 1753 his [Colman's] essay on literary criticism, 'A vision', was published anonymously in The Adventurer and January 1754 saw the first issue of The Connoisseur. This weekly publication, consisting largely of polished, lively, pleasantly satirical essays, was produced jointly by Colman and Bonnell Thornton and ran to 140 issues before it closed in September 1756. The editors personalized themselves jointly as 'Mr Town', and wrote most of the articles, although there were contributions by William Cowper (with whom he formed the Nonsense Club), Robert Lloyd, and others.... Colman's son (not a disinterested witness) suggests that Thornton was lazy, or drunk, and occasionally left the efficient Colman to repair his omissions. Johnson thought the periodical's essays on contemporary life 'wanted matter', but Boswell defended its 'just views of the surface of life, and … very sprightly manner' (Boswell, Life, 1.420) and the periodical was much reprinted" (Oxford DNB).

John Price Antiquarian BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 9936

Catalogue: PERIODICAL

Keywords: PERIODICAL literary criticism literature