Nathaniel Cotton — Various Pieces in Verse and Prose

London, J. Dodsley, 1791. First edition. Leather. A complete two volume set of an uncommon collection of Nathaniel Cotton's fables, tales and poems, many of which were never published before. Various Pieces in Verse and Prose, of which were never published before, a collection from the talented English poet and physician Nathaniel Cotton. Uncommon as a complete two volume set. In contemporary half calf, with marble boards, contemporary end papers, and no half-title as issued when compared against a copy held by the Hathi Trust. Best known as a friend of fellow poets William Cowper and Edward Young, as well as being an early practioner in mental health, Cotton was a distinguished writer whose words were believed to be of great religious counsel. These volumes offer the first complete collection of Cotton's works, with Volume I containing fables,  epitaphs and riddles, while Volume II contains his pslams and sermons. In contemporary half calf, with marble boards. Externally, joints are strained, with Vol II front joint largely held by cords only. I front joint working loose. Fading to marble boards, with the odd small graze. Significant vertical crack down Vol I spine, with loss to calf to both volumes' spines. Fading to spine labels and rubbing to edges. Heavy browning to end paper corners. Internally, crack between 142-143 of Vol I, which could lead to split of book with further handling. Otherwise, firmly bound. Pages are mostly bright and clean, with slight browning to first couple and final leaves, and minor age toning. Fair . Ill.: None. Fair .