Mr. John Gay — Poems on Several Occasions

London, Jacob Tonson; Bernard Lintot, 1720 . First edition. Leather. Attractively bound in half calf, this is the first collected edition of the poetry of John Gay, illustrated with two plates by William Kent. The first collected edition of Gay's poetry, published in order to clear his significant debts.Complete in two volumes, bound in one.A collection of the poems of the popular eighteenth century poet John Gay.Illustrated with a frontispiece to volume I, and one further plate to each volume from William Kent. Collated, complete.With the armorial bookplate of Strathallan to the front pastedown. Inscribed 'Henley' to volume I title page.Containing many of Gay's most popular works, including 'The Shepherd's Week', a poem on the rural life of England. In a half calf binding, with marbled paper covered boards, and gilt detailing. Back strip significantly age toned, with instances of rubbing to joints and back strip head and tail. Joints starting, with boards firmly held. Bookplate to front pastedown. Internally, firmly bound. Pages age toned due to paper type, with instances of spotting and handling marks throughout. Loss of paper to gutter of final leaf, resulting in loss to a few words. Minor worming to tail of final thirty leaves, not affecting text. Very Good . Ill.: William Kent. Very Good .