Henry James Pye — Poems on Various Subjects

London, John Stockdale, 1787. First edition. Leather. The scarce first edition of this collection of works by Poet Laureate, Henry James Pye. The first edition of Pye's collected works, published by Stockdale.  Two volumes, smartly bound in full tree calf with gilt embossed backstrips and marbled end papers. Reputed as a 'poetaster' and one of the worst Poet Laureates in English history, Henry James Pye's appointment was likely bestowed in return for his loyalty to William Pitt the Younger in the House of Commons.  Although no master of poetics, Pye's verse is a fascinating example of the interplay between patronage, politics and poetry in the eighteenth century.  Collated, lacking the frontispieces to each volume. Volume I of this copy with the bookplate of Sir Hew Dalrymple-Hamilton, Baronets of Bargeny, North Berwick, to the front pastedown. Both volumes with the bookstamp of Charles M. Deane to the front blanks. Bound in full tree calf. Externally, generally smart. Slight rubbing to joints with a little loss to extremities. Signs of minor rubbing to head and tail of spine. A touch faded at rear joint vol I and lower board of vol II. Vol I lacking the spine label. Front hinge vol I starting. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean. Very marginal age toning. Contents pages trimmed. Lacking frontispieces. Book stamp to recto front blanks. Bookplate to pastedown vol I. Very Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good .