2 volumes. viii, 62; [ii], (63)-152 pp. Extra-illustrated with the insertion of numerous portraits from earlier works, a few colored; inserted at the front of Volume 1 is an Autograph Letter, signed, from King Charles II of England, in French, offering thanks and New Year's good wishes to an unnamed cousin; inserted at the rear of Volume 1 is an 18th century edition of Samuel Butler's "The Court Burlesqu'd". (8vo) 26.5x17 cm. (10½x6¾"), full red levant morocco over thick boards, "NG" monogram at center of boards with a gilt oval frame within a larger gilt ruled border with royal devices of a crown and interlocked "C"s at corners, quadruple gilt rules at board edges, tall raised bands, spine compartments lettered and decorated in gilt, gilt-rolled double rule on board edges, gilt ruled dentelles, full blue morocco doublures, silk endleaves, all edges gilt. Finely bound by Sangorski and Sutcliffe with the binders name stamped in gilt on lower dentelles of front boards.

A gorgeous Cosway-style binding, inset into the inside of each front board, within elaborate gilt-tooled borders is a beautiful miniature portrait. Volume 1 contains a portrait of Charles II, signed at the lower right by noted miniaturist Florence Emily Bennett (13x9.6 cm.); Volume II contains an unsigned oval portrait of Nell Gwyn, (6.5x5 cm.). A superb example of Cosway-style bindings!