ANCIENT SONGS AND BALLADS, From the Reign of King Henry the Second to the Revolution

2 volumes. First of the edition. Printed musical notations in Vol.I and with the half-titles. 8vo, beautifully bound in vellum by Birdsall over boards elaborately tooled in gilt, the spines feature raised bands gilt decorated, gilt lettering on contrasting green and tan morocco labels in two compartments, the remaining compartments elaborately gilt decorated in multi-lined and stopped panel designs with gilt lyre as the centerpiece. Covers decorated at he edges with double gilt fillet lines surrounding a gilt panel with lyres at the corners and gilt wreaths at the center of the covers. Edges gilt stopped and turnovers elaborately gilt rolled. Marbled endleaves, t.e.g. [14 p. ads], (10), ciii, 169; vi, 326 including glossary. A very fine copy, beautifully preserved.

Edizione: beautifully bound and presented. this fine printing of an english classic appeared after the first with additional essays and ballads. it is here presented in a wonderful full vellum decorated binding by birdsall. <br> joseph ritson (1752-1803), antiquary, vegetarian, conveyancer, barrister, and subsequent psychotic, is best remembered for his work in the field of literature, particularly in the field of popular poetry, where, the dnb politely says, "he won his least disputable triumphs." as a long-time avid student of historical poetry, his criticisms were nearly always valid and founded upon extensive knowledge and research, yet the insulting and bitter tones of his writing made him intensely unpopular among his peers. <br> before his eventual descent into lunacy, his exhaustive and perfectionist methods of research produced some of the most complete works on ancient poetry that have survived.