Title: The Spectator (complete set in eight volumes)
Authors: Joseph Addison & Sir Richard Steele
Edition/Publication: London, 1775 (MDCCLXXV). Printed for C. Bathurst; W. Strahan; J. Rivington; T. Davies; J. Hinton; and others. Individual engraved title vignette/frontispiece style illustration present (as pictured).
Format: Antique leather-bound hardcovers (8 volumes). Matching set with gilt tooling and red/brown spine labels. Octavo/12mo era set (classic 18th-century multi-volume literary format).
About the work (SEO): The Spectator is one of the most important English periodicals of the early 1700s, shaping modern essay writing, manners and moral philosophy, and everyday social commentary in Georgian London. Addison and Steele’s short essays influenced English prose style for centuries and remain essential primary texts for collectors of 18th-century literature, Enlightenment culture, British history, and the rise of the modern magazine.
Condition: Used antique set (1775). Complete eight-volume run. Heavy external wear consistent with age: rubbed and scuffed leather, worn corners and spine ends, some cracking/abrasion to spine labels and gilt. Bindings appear holding; interiors show age toning and scattered foxing/marks typical of 18th-century paper. Overall a genuine, shelf-worthy original set with strong decorative and collector appeal.
Collector notes: This is sold as a single complete set (8 volumes). Ideal for antique library décor, Georgian leather bindings, early English essay literature, and serious collectors of Addison & Steele.
Antique used set. One complete set available.
Collections: ALL BOOKS, ANTIQUARIAN BOOKS, CLASSICS, HISTORY, NON-FICTION BOOKS, VINTAGE BOOKS
Type: NON FICTION
Category: ANTIQUARIAN, ANTIQUE BOOKS, BOOKS, CLASSICS, COLLECTABLE BOOKS, HISTORY, LITERATURE, NON FICTION
A: All our books are stored, catalogued, and shipped from our bookshop in Kenepuru, Porirua.
Each listing represents a real, physical copy in stock. This is a photo of the actual book!
Orders within New Zealand usually arrive in 2-3 working days (allow extra for rural delivery). We use Aramex (Tracked), your parcel will be picked up by the Courier from our shop at 3.30pm (Monday to Friday) so if you order over the weekend, add a little extra time.
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A: Yes. Every title is pre-owned; the condition is written in the product description. If we got it wrong, or you are unhappy, let us know and we will make it right.
A: Yes, each book is photographed individually. If you want more photos, we would be more than happy to add them, just ask!
A: Each book is individually priced based on its current market value, condition, and availability. Most of our books are collectable, vintage, many are hard to find in the 'wild'. We use actual 'sold' prices as a benchmark (Trademe, Ebay & Dunbar Slone) We try to price below market average to encourage people to start to resell books as a side hustle! We love to do bulk deals, just drop us a message!

