A CATALOGUE OF THE ROYAL AND NOBLE AUTHORS OF ENGLAND

[Twickenham]: Printed at Strawberry-Hill, 1758. 182 x 112 mm. (7 1/4 x 4 1/2"). Complete with the statement of the work's entry in the Hall-Book of the Company of stationers following the dedication in volume I. Two volumes. .
Attractive contemporary polished calf, covers with double gilt fillet border, raised bands, spines gilt in compartments with fleuron centerpieces, leaf cornerpieces, one red and one black morocco label, marbled endpapers. Title pages with engraved printer's device depicting the house at Strawberry Hill, volume I with engraved frontispiece by C. Grignion showing Earl Rivers presenting printer William Caxton to King Edward IV. VERSO OF FRONT FREE ENDPAPER INSCRIBED: "The Author's kind Present to / J. Campbell." Hazen 3; ESTC T63207. ◆First volume with one-inch crack to head of front joint, boards with minor chafing and scratches, light offsetting from frontispiece to title page, isolated faint foxing, other trivial imperfections, but quite an appealing copy--bright and clean internally, and in attractive unrestored bindings.

This is a valuable work from an important press, this copy being distinguished as given by the author to a writer who receives special approbation in the text. Although Walpole's literary reputation rests principally upon his voluminous correspondence, he also produced a number of substantial books, including the present catalogue, with its useful collection of biographical accounts and engraved portraits. As a carefully researched and honest assessment of the literary contributions of a significant number of lesser-known writers (figures whose rank in society was generally greater than their reputations and abilities as authors), the work is of particular interest. Taking its name from Walpole's beloved estate, the Strawberry Hill Press would occupy a prominent place in the printing history of its period. Walpole said that he modeled his press after that of Aldus, the Estiennes, and the Elzeviers, with results that Plomer says were "far above any of the other private press work of the 18th century." The recipient here, "J. Campbell," is very likely to be historian John Campbell (1708-75), whose writings Walpole admired and who is praised in the text as "one of the ablest and most beautiful Writers of this Country." Campbell wrote histories of various nations and their colonial territories, especially relating to the East and West Indies, and in 1744 published his "Political Survey of Britain," a substantial work that greatly advanced his reputation. The inscription here has been checked against and matches that in Campbell's letters at the British Library..