The Tatler

London: C. Bathurst; J. Buckland; J. Rivington and Sons; et al, 1786. Leather. Good. 7" by 4.5". Not Stated. A complete set of the essays published in the journal 'The Tatler', by Richard Steele and Joseph Addison. Complete in six volumes.'The Tatler' was a society and literary journal founded in 1709 by Richard Steele. The journal was published for two years, originally with three issues published a week. The original collected edition was published in 1710-11, before the journal was liquidated.These volumes contain all two-hundred and seventy-one essays printed in the journal. roughly one-hundred and eighty-eight of them were written by Richard Steele, forty-two by Joseph Addison, and thirty-six written by the both of them as a pair.Volume I illustrated with a frontispiece, and one plate.Volume II illustrated with a frontispiece, and one plate.Volume III illustrated with a frontispiece, and one plate.Volume IV illustrated with a frontispiece, and one plate.Volume V illustrated with a frontispiece, and one plate.Volume VI illustrated with a frontispiece, and one plate.Richard Steele was an Irish politician and playwright. He was a member of the Kit-Kat Club, an English Whig club with strong literary and political associations. His first successful play was 'The Funeral', which was performed at Drury Lane.Joseph Addison was an essayist, politician and playwright. He also held form the Kit-Kat Club, which renewed his friendship with Richard Steele, whom he at met at Charterhouse School. His most famous work was 'Cato, a Tragedy', a successful play about Marcus Porcius Cato Uticensis.Addison and Steele founded several publications during their friendship, including the daily publication 'The Spectator', which ran from 1711 to 1712. Steele also founded the short lived "The Guardian". None of these publications are related to the modern day ones which share their same names.With two title pages to each volume.Bookplate of Mr. Strachan Irving Popham to the front paste downs.Collated, complete. In a full calf binding. Externally, a little rubbed. A small amount of loss to the head of the spines, heavier to Volumes I, V, and VI. Minor bumping to the extremities. Spine labels to Volumes III and VI are rubbed. A few minor marks to the boards. Spine labels to Volumes I and II are lifting. Spines are a little discoloured. Wormhole to the rear board of Volume I. Bookplate to the front paste downs. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very lightly age-toned and clean. Small patch of worming to the first few pages of Volume I. Good