[Fine Binding] The Table Talker

Johnson, William. The Table Talker or Brief Essays on Society and Literature [2 volumes]. London: William Pickering, 1840. First edition. A selection of essays originally published in the "Morning Post," on various topics including, superstition, free trade, the political influence of women, the female character, Shakespeare, Coleridge, etc. Bound in dark brown crushed morocco with an art nouveau design on the top, bottom, and right side of the front covers, with leafy, flowing vines in gilt around an inner rectangle, terminating in a few small flowers and accented with miniscule dots. Smooth spine with title at the top and a similar, elongated version of the front cover design to the lower 3/4 of the spine. Wide, gilt-ruled turn-ins and marbled endpapers. Top edge gilt. Reminiscent of some of the floral art nouveau bindings of Zaehnsdorf from this period, but unsigned. Measures approx. 4.5" x 6.75". A few spots of light rubbing, and corners slightly bumped. A lovely set.