EXCEPTIONALLY RARE FIRST EDITION OF THE SUPPLEMENT TO CHESTERFIELD’S MISCELLANEOUS WORKS, 1777

CHESTERFIELD, Lord. Letters from Lord Chesterfield, to Alderman George Faulkner, Dr. Madden, Mr. Sexton, Mr. Derrick, and the Earl of Arran. Being a Supplement to His Lordship’s Letters. London: Printed for John Wallis, 1777. Slim folio, early green cloth rebacked with original spine laid down. $4800.

Extremely rare first edition of this supplement to Chesterfield’s collected miscellany, constituting the first publication of 20 important letters.

In 1774, a collection of Chesterfield’s letters to his son were published, filled with advice, schooling in various academic disciplines, and general wisdom. The book’s immediate popularity led to the publication, three years later, of Miscellaneous Works. Included therein were assorted writings as well as other parts of Chesterfield’s unpublished correspondence. This exceptionally rare supplement to Miscellaneous Works was published the same year, including 20 letters to various prominent individuals that were not present in the original collection. Among the recipients were George Faulkner, Chesterfield’s favorite bookseller and a well-known Irish printer; Dr. Samuel Madden, an author and philanthropist; Samuel Derrick, an author; and the Earl of Arran. “Chesterfield’s achievements betray a brilliance of intellectual gifts and graces” (DNB). Close friend of Pope, he proved an eloquent statesman admired even by his political opponents. He was Walpole’s most bitter antagonist. Very rare—only eight copies listed in OCLC. Gulik 153. Private library stamp on title page.

Marginal paper repairs to half title, scattered foxing and soiling, rubbing to edges of leaves, some wear to cloth. A very good copy of an exceptionally rare work.