THOMSON, James (1700-48). The Seasons, London, 1797, folio, 10 fine illustrations engraved by F. Bartolozzi and P. W Tomkins after W. Hamilton (lacks the frontispiece, some leaves browned), contemporary calf gilt. With 2 other books. (3)

THOMSON, James (1700-48).  The Seasons ... Illustrated with Engravings by F. Bartolozzi, R. A. and P. W. Tomkins ... from Original Pictures Painted for the Work by W. Hamilton. London: Printed for P. W. Tomkins, 1797. Folio (460 x 370mm). Engraved dedication, 10 fine engraved illustrations (lacks the frontispiece, title re-margined with loss of one letter, crude later repair on the verso of the title, first few leaves re-margined with slight loss to one illustration, some leaves browned, occasional light spotting). Contemporary calf gilt, gilt edges (re-backed, rubbed and scuffed). Provenance: Sir Henry K. Davson (armorial bookplate). "The Seasons, one of the most popular (and frequently reprinted and illustrated) of English poems, was immensely influential, offering both in style and subject a new departure from the urbanity of Pope and developing in a highly distinctive manner the range of topographical poetry; Wordsworth recognised Thomson as the first poet since Milton to offer new images of 'external nature'" (The Oxford Companion to English Literature, ed. Drabble, 1985). With 2 unrelated books, namely Thomas Miller's A Treatise on the Differential Calculus (Edinburgh, 1854, 8vo, contemporary calf gilt, rubbed and scuffed, FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY, inscribed, "To Henry Katz Davson, Esquire, with the author's affectionate regards") and Palgrave's Golden Treasury Illustrated in Colour and Line by Robert Anning Bell (London, 1907, small 4to, mounted coloured plates, attractively bound in original publisher's decorated vellum gilt, bookplate of "Lady Ward", inscribed "With best wishes from Sir Edward"). (3)