The Antiquities of Ireland (Volumes I and II)

Complete in two volumes. First edition. [1791-95] viii, xlviii, 88pp, with 140 plate engravings and plans; viii, xxvi, 98pp, with 126 plate engravings and plans. Uniformly bound in a utilitarian quarter leather over blue cloth binding with gilt titles on spine. Top edge gilt, all other edges marbled. Library name stamped in gilt on front panel. Title pages with engraved vignettes. 4tos. Boards a little rubbed on corners, rounded at tips of a sunned spine. Bookplate over labels of North Yorkshire Reference Library on front paste downs, minor library annotations on title pages. Plates and leaves mildly but unevenly browned with occasional faint spotting, else neat, clean and tight. Grose, the noted 18th Century antiquarian, began The Antiquities of Ireland shortly before his death in May 1791 – he had ‘written and printed but seven pages of description’. It was completed by his friend Edward Ledwich. Ledwich’s preface, dated 1794, appears in volume I. Volume II was published in 1795, although the date 1791 still appears on the title page. Grose’s name does not appear on the title page of volume II.