{"product_id":"1726-the-guardian-addison-steele-2-volumes","title":"2 Volumes 1726 \"The Guardian\" Brown Full Leather Books","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col flex-grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-4o\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 whitespace-normal break-words text-start [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-5\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-id=\"d54d18e7-cf56-4889-810b-3d2e012bdb5a\" data-message-author-role=\"assistant\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[3px]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\"\u003eThe Guardian, first published by Joseph Addison and Richard Steele in 1713, followed their earlier successes with The Tatler and The Spectator. This two-volume set, labeled as the “Fourth Edition” from 1726 and printed by J. Tonson in London, is an early 18th-century reprint of their collected essays. The Guardian offered moral, literary, and social reflections designed to encourage polite conversation and virtuous living, reflecting Addison and Steele’s goal to educate and refine readers through engaging writing. At a time when coffeehouses were centers of lively debate and the middle class sought thoughtful yet entertaining reading, these essays covered topics from literary critique to social behavior and politics, blending wit with moral guidance. Though shorter-lived than The Spectator, The Guardian played a key role in the English Enlightenment. This edition is also notable for its beautiful polished calf leather binding with gilt spine detailing, raised bands, and red-speckled edges—classic features of 18th-century craftsmanship. Personal touches like bookplates and inscriptions reveal the volumes’ history of ownership. In essence, this 1726 two-volume set not only preserves an important literary work but also showcases the elegance of Georgian bookbinding.\n\u003cul data-start=\"2196\" data-end=\"2768\"\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003e[d]Author | Joseph Addison and Richard Steele [d]Title | The Guardian [d]Publisher | J. Tonson [d]Date | 1726 [d]Edition | Fourth Edition [d]Binding | Polished calf leather, raised bands, gilt spine tooling, red-speckled edges [d]Volumes | Complete set in 2 volumes [d]Dimensions | 6.5 in H x 4 in W x 1 in D [d]Provenance | Bookplates and inscriptions present [d]Origin | England [d]Place of Publication | London [d]Language | English\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003e[condition] Both volumes are in good antiquarian condition. The calf covers show wear consistent with age, including rubbing to the edges, corners, and spine ends. The gilt tooling and raised bands are dulled in places but remain visible and contribute to the set's classic appearance. The hinges are delicate but functional. Internally, the pages show light browning and occasional foxing typical of eighteenth-century paper, and the text remains legible throughout. The bookplates and inscriptions inside add to the sense of continuous historical ownership. A well-preserved and characterful set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Austyn Marie","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49812761772310,"sku":"AMD-0376","price":340.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0896\/4623\/5926\/files\/DE36DC6D-9B7A-4974-B2FE-FA9C85F1A6FF_1_201_a.jpg?v=1774631655","url":"https:\/\/austynmariedesign.com\/products\/1726-the-guardian-addison-steele-2-volumes","provider":"Austyn Marie Design","version":"1.0","type":"link"}