The Lucubrations of Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq: Tatler - in 4 Volumes. 1728

LONDON: Printed for E. and R. Nutt, J Knapton, J. and B. Sprint, D. Midwinter, J. Tonson, R. Gosling, W. and J. Innys, J. Osborn and T. Longman, R. Robinson, and B. Motte, 1728. Uniformly 18mo.,, 9.5cm x 16.4cm; half leather with marbled boards; 6 gilt bordered panels to spine with gilt titles on spine; volume number in gilt on circle of red leather.

Vol 1: 336 pp plus A Faithful INDEX of the Dull as well as ingenious Passages in the TATLERS; Vol 2: 376 pp plus an index to the TATLERS; Vol 3: 352 pp plus an index to the TATLERS; Vol 4: 352 pp plus an index to the TATLERS

The original Tatler was founded in 1709 by Richard Steele, who used a nom de plume of "Isaac Bickerstaff, Esquire". Steele's idea was to publish the news and gossip heard in London coffeehouses, hence the title, and to leave the subject of politics to the newspapers, while presenting Whiggish views and correcting middle-class manners, and instructing "these Gentlemen, for the most part being Persons of strong Zeal, and weak Intellects...what to think." To assure complete coverage of local gossip, a reporter was placed in each of the city's popular coffee houses. Accounts of manners and mores were datelined from White's; literary notes from Wills; notes of antiquarian interest were dated from the Grecian Coffee House; and news items from St. James.

In its first incarnation, it was published three times a week and was published for only two years, from April 12, 1709 to January 2, 1711.

Vol.1: Bookplate for The Revd. R. P. Packwood on inside of front cover (and in pencil: “4 vols 5/6”). Title Page: THE LUCUBRATIONS OF Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq; Revised and Corrected by the Author. VOL. I. Then a dedication to Mr. Maynwaring by Isaac Bickerstaff. Then: THE TATLER by Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq – first entry Tuesday, April 12, 1709. Small decorative woodcuts throughout.

Vol. II: Bookplate for The Revd. R. P. Packwood on inside of front cover. Title Page: THE LUCUBRATIONS OF Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq; Revised and Corrected by the Author. VOL. II. Then a dedication to Edward Wortley Mountague, Esq by Isaac Bickerstaff. Then: THE TATLER by Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq – first entry Saturday, August 6, 1709. Small decorative woodcuts throughout.

Vol. III: Bookplate for The Revd. R. P. Packwood on inside of front cover. Title Page: THE LUCUBRATIONS OF Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq; Revised and Corrected by the Author. VOL. III. Then a dedication to the Right Honourable William, Lord Cowper, Baron of Wingham by Richard Steele. Then: THE TATLER by Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq – first entry Tuesday, January 3, 1709. Small decorative woodcuts throughout.

Vol. IV: Bookplate for The Revd. R. P. Packwood on inside of front cover. Title Page: THE LUCUBRATIONS OF Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq; Revised and Corrected by the Author. VOL. IV. Then a dedication to the Right Honourable Charles, Lord Halifax by Richard Steele. Then a preface. Then: THE TATLER by Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq – first entry Tuesday, January 27, 1710. Small decorative woodcuts throughout.

Condition: Bindings all tight but all spines worn and scuffed, marbled covers ditto and edges of covers fraying. ‘Tatler’ on spine of vol 4 coming loose. covers scuffed and worn or fraying at edges. Pages slightly spotted and stained, but in general clean and good. Quote in Greek from Homer.

Please note that this lot will be posted from the UK.