Lamb, Charles. ELIA. ESSAYS WHICH HAVE APPEARED UNDER THAT SIGNATURE IN THE LONDON MAGAZINE. Philadelphia: Carey, Lea, and Carey, 1828. 2 volumes, 12mo. 292; 230 pp. First volume in original quarter cloth, with text untrimmed; second volume in period speckled sheep; the pair housed in and attractive custom clamshell case. **************** First U.S. edition of the first series and the first edition of the second series of Lamb's pseudonymously published essays for the London Magazine. The first series made its first appearance in book form in London, 1823. The authorized second series was not published until 1833, under the title "The Last Essays of Elia"; the piecesselected for the unauthorized American second series offered here are different from those contained in that volume, and they mistakenly include three essays written by other hands.

Vol. I: Uncut copy. Publisher's quarter once-red cloth and paper sides, covers printed with "Elia" within a simple frame, spine with printed paper label; binding rubbed and lightly soiled, spine sunned to yellow. Repaired tear to one leaf, touching text without loss; remarkably clean and sound. Vol. II: Contemporary speckled sheep, spine with gilt-stamped leather title-label; rubbed, and head of spine chipped with old refurbishing. Ex–social club library: 19th-century bookplate and call number ticket on front pastedown, front free endpaper with inked numerals, title-page with blind-stamp. Author's name inked on title-page; front free endpaper and title-page
reinforced at fore-edge (the latter from the back). Both volumes age-toned, with intermittent spots of staining; advertisements absent.