PBA Galleries

[8], viii, 292, 70 pp. 46 engraved plates including several folding (there are no plates numbered II or III, nor are these called for in the instructions to the binder). (Folio) 30.6x24.5 cm. (12x9¾") period full calf, red leather spine label. First Edition.

A title page to Vol.2 and an unnumbered leaf are inserted between pages 224 and 225; the Directions to the binder indicate that the use of this title page and the division into 2 volumes was optional. "[This] great literary achievement of Bentham was begun in 1756, when he circulated among his friends printed lists of the abbots, bishops, priors, and deans of Ely, for the purpose of obtaining materials for his history of the cathedral church. Five years later he sent out proposals for publishing this elaborate work at the remarkably low price of eighteen shillings, which he found himself obliged, however, soon after to raise to one guinea. Though the cost of the plates was defrayed by the several persons to whom they were dedicated, this was perhaps one of the cheapest books ever published in England. The work was sent to the press in 1764, and was delivered to the subscribers in 1771. It was printed at Cambridge in a quarto volume by Joseph Bentham, a brother of the historian, and alderman of Cambridge, who for many years was printer to the university." (DNB). ESTC T101266.