BIOGRAPHIES, MEMOIRS, AND LETTERS OF SIX DISTINGUISHED BRITONS

London, 1836-50. Various editions. 224 x 137 mm. (8 3/4 x 5 1/2"). 16 volumes..
FINE CONTEMPORARY FULL CALF, MOST EITHER TREE OR POLISHED CALF (see below), raised bands, spines intricately gilt in compartments, morocco labels, marbled endpapers and edges. Some works with frontispiece portraits. Front pastedowns with engraved bookplate of Edward Nicholas Hurt (see below). A LOVELY COLLECTION--WITH VIRTUALLY NO SIGNS OF USE.

Handsomely bound, with beautifully gilt spines, and just about uniform in size, these volumes make an impressive appearance on the shelf. The six titles here include:

1) (DE SAUMAREZ, JAMES). ROSS, JOHN. "MEMOIRS AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ADMIRAL LORD DE SAUMAREZ." (1838) Two volumes. Polished calf.

2) (ELDON, JOHN, LORD CHANCELLOR). TWISS, HORACE. "THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LIFE OF LORD CHANCELLOR ELDON." (1844) Three volumes. Polished calf.

3) HORNER, FRANCIS. "MEMOIRS AND CORRESPONDENCE OF FRANCIS HORNER, M. P." (1843) Two volumes. Tree calf.

4) STANHOPE, PHILIP DORMER. "THE LETTERS OF PHILIP DORMER STANHOPE, EARL OF CHESTERFIELD." (1845; 1853) Five volumes. Tree calf.

5) TAYLOR, WILLIAM. "THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF THE LATE WILLIAM TAYLOR OF NORWICH." (1843) Two volumes. Tree calf.

6) (WARD, ROBERT PLUMER). PHIPPS, EDMUND. "MEMOIRS OF THE POLITICAL AND LITERARY LIFE OF ROBERT PLUMER WARD, ESQ." (1850) Two volumes. Polished calf.

The bookplate here is that of notable bibliophile and barrister Edward Nicholas Hurt (1795-1867) of Derbyshire and Marylebone, London. He married Caroline Strutt, daughter of the immensely wealthy philanthropist and social reformer Joseph Strutt (1765-1844), who was twice Mayor of Derby. As the Strutt arms are incorporated into the escutcheon of Hurt's ornate bookplate, the plate can be dated to no earlier than their wedding in 1828..