GOLDSMITH, Oliver

THE BEE. BEING ESSAYS ON THE MOST INTERESTING SUBJECTS

      London: printed for J. Wilkie, 1759. Book. Fine. Full Modern Calf. First Edition. Small 8vo. Sm.8vo., [4], 252p., full modern calf, hinges slightly rubbed, a fine copy with the armorial bookplate of William Stirling Maxwell to front pastedown. The rear pastedown has the bookplate of the Yale University Library noting that this was the bequest of Frederick W. Hilles. This is tan unrecorded state between "a" and "b" [ESTC: MH-H reports two settings of 1st number (a) floral factotum on p. 1; line 15 of p. 3 has "Charteries" and p. 29 ornament is a vase. P. 236 misnumbered 36 ("(a)" copy cataloged as N25138); (b) angels factotum [the present copy has the "a" state]; "Charteris", and three-branched ornament. Pp. 236 misnumbered 36, page 32 is correctly numbered which would give this copy the distinction of being somewhere between the "a" and "b" state. [BL copy is (b) apart from pagination.] A rare collection of essays in whatever state. Scott, pp. 58-63; Williams, p. 120; New CBEL 2, 1195. ESTC T135640.