Strawberry Hill Press. An attractive, contemporarily bound example of this the first printed edition of the Life of Edward Lord Herbert of Cherbury (1582-1648), renowned diplomat, soldier, historian, philosopher and poet. Horace Walpole, who established the press at Strawberry Hill, provides both the introduction and advertisement, and said of this work 'The thing most in fashion is my edition of Lord Herbert's Life; people are mad after it, I believe because only two hundred copies were printed' (letter to Montagu, 16th December 1764). The edition, taken from Herbert's original manuscript, was certainly reprinted with alacrity, and provided the basis for all editions subsequently up until the 20th century, when it was revisited and revised considerably.

The title vignette marks the first use of a framed, rectangular view of Strawberry Hill House for this purpose, showing the gallery and round tower. The folding frontispiece portrait is after the famous painting of Herbert reclining by Isaac Oliver.

First edition, one of 200 copies printed; small 4to in twos (23 x 19.5 cm); engraved folding frontispiece portrait after Isaac Oliver; engraved device to title, double-page engraved pedigree, bookplate to front pastedown, ink name to head of title-page, some foxing and marginal toning to early & later leaves, frontispiece and pedigree, the latter with some light offsetting, otherwise internally very good; contemporary sprinkled calf, gilt compartments within raised bands to spine, rubbing to spine and corners, gilt dulled, but overall a sound, attractive copy; [10], 171, [1]pp.

Hazen, Strawberry Hill Press, 11