The Dramatic Works of the Late Right Honourable Joseph Addison, Esq.

This is a first edition copy of this scarce collection of Addison's plays, which was published by R. Urie in 1760. To the extent of my knowledge, this is the only such copy for sale online.

The book is in Good condition overall. Full calf leather hardboards, with remnants of gilt bordering to each board. Spine with 5 raised bands, and remnants of gilt decorative touches. Heavy scuffing to boards, with some scars, including to bottom corner of front board. Missing portions to top and tail of spine, and cracking to spine leather. Very heavy wear to board corners, which are receding beyond the textblock. Front board and front-free endpaper detached. Ownership inscriptions to reverse of title page, which have partially bled across. Textblock remains firm, with some slight pulling. One early leaf misbound, and protruding from textblock slightly. Thumbing to pages, with some creases and dog-earing. 17.5cm x 10.5cm. 272 pages. Given its age, a very nice copy.

Addison was an English essayist, poet, playwright, and politician. He was the eldest son of Lancelot Addison. His name is usually remembered alongside that of his long-standing friend Richard Steele, with whom he founded The Spectator magazine. His simple prose style marked the end of the mannerisms and conventional classical images of the 17th century. In 1718, Addison was forced to resign as Secretary of State because of his poor health, but he remained an MP until his death at Holland House, London, on 17 June 1719 (aged 47).