Various; Joseph Ritson [ed.] — The English Anthology

London, T. and J. Egerton, 1793. First edition. Leather. A beautifully bound example of Joseph Ritson's selection of English poetry, in full signed morocco. The first edition of this anthology of English verse, edited by Joseph Ritson.  Complete in three volumes. In a full signed red morocco binding by F. Bedford, with raised bands, marbled endpapers, decorative gilt to the spines and dentelles.  Bound with the half titles.  Engraved title page vignettes and engraved and woodcut head and tail pieces by Thomas Stothard.  The publisher advertises these works as 'a selection of English poetry, in a chronological series, from the beginning of the sixteenth century.. to the present time, upon a plan hitherto unattempted, at least in this country&apos.  A staunch supporter of the ideals of the French Revolution, Ritson is perhaps best known for editing the first scholarly collection of Robin Hood ballads and for his collections of English nursery rhymes. This distinguished collection features the writings of Edmund Spenser, Edward Young, William Shenstone, Thomas Gray, John Dyer and other eminent English poets. Previously owned by Chicago lawyer and book collector Abel E. Berland, with his bookplate to each front paste down.  In a full signed red morocco binding, with raised bands, marbled endpapers, decorative gilt to the spines and dentelles. Bound by F. Bedford. Externally, very smart, with mild rubbing to the extremities, most noticeably to the joints. Bookplate of Chicago lawyer and book collector Abel E. Berland to the front paste downs. Internally, firmly bound. With the odd light spots largely concentrated to the blanks, otherwise bright and clean. Neat archival repair to the lower corner of A4 of Volume III. Near Fine . Ill.: Thomas Stothard. Near Fine .