First Baskerville edition. Printed by John Baskerville, for J. and R. Tonson, at Shakespear's Head in The Strand, London. Birmingham. 1761. 4 volumes. Quarto. Complete with the rare "Directions to the Binder". Text and plates all complete. Vol. I: I, title, ii blank, iii-v dedication, vi blank, vii-xx Preface, xxi-xxv Poem, xxvi-xxvii Contents, xxvii blank, 1-501 Poems on Several Occasions, 502 blank, 503-37 Poemata, 538 blank, 3z2 blank, 3z2 verso "Directions to the Binder. This leaf is to be cut out". (therefore usually missing) 413-537 Dialogues upon the Usefulness of Ancient Medals, 538 blank, 539-42 index 543-4 blank. 3 engraved plates, plus 6 plates included in pagination. Vol. II: Title, A1 blank, A2 sub title to Remarks on Several Parts of Italy, A2v blank. A3-A3v Dedication, A4-A4v Preface, 1-171 Remarks on Several Parts of Italy, 172 blank, 173-372 The Tatler, 373-538 The Spectator, 539-40 Index, 550 blank. 7 engraved plates. Vol. III: Title, blank, 3-579 The Spectator, 580 blank, 581-91 Index, 592 blank. Vol. IV: Title, blank, 3-117 The Spectator, 118 blank, 119-271 The Guardian, 272-8 The Lover, 279-300 The Present State of the War, 301-7 The Trial of Count Tariff, 308 blank, 309-32 The Whig-Examiner, 333-522 The Free Holder, 523-55 Of the Christian Religion, 556 blank, 557-66 Index, 567-8 blank. Full calf, spines renewed with gilt rules, leather labels in red and black with gilt lettering. Marbled endpapers. Minor paper fault to I, p.401, II, p.148 no loss; marginal spot II, p.100/101; slight marginal browning to IV, p.487/8, text unaffected. A handsome set. Provenance: From the library at Thurland Castle. Armorial bookplate of R. H. Welch to fep of each volume, illustrated with a Star, Wand and Garter crest. Robert Welch, Liverpool Merchant. d.1780 of Thurland Castle, Lune Valley. ESTC T89166. Gaskell 17.