$10,000
Edinburgh: for A. Bell & C. Macfarquhar, 1771. 3 vols. 4to, full contemporary calf, gilt-lettered spines. First edition of "The most famous of all encyclopaedias in the English language," (PMM) diverging from the alphabetical models of predecessors by arranging entries under subject matter. Probably compiled by the editor and antiquarian William Smellie, the engraver Andrew Bell, and the printer Colin Macfarquhar. With 156 (of 160) engraved plates (one fold-out, musical plates printed on both sides), and one folding grammatical table in volume 2, errata at the end of vol. 2. Lacking 3 folding chemistry tables and three plates; hinges cracked and boards worn on all vols.; minor intermittent brownspotting and a few small tears; plate 106 partially detached. The present set was owned by the publisher and advertising executive William Benton (1900-1973), who was President and Chairman of from 1943-1973 and U.S. Senator from Connecticut (1949-1953). He also served as Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, United States Ambassador to the United Nations, and Vice President of the University of Chicago.
Auctioneer:
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers
Date:
2013-08-07