4to, FIRST BASKERVILLE EDITION, state of title-page with slightly damaged 'R' in 'Maronis', with all the usual cancels as listed by Gaskell (including T1^r) and none of the uncommon cancels, variant of subscribers' list with four "Names too late to be inserted Alphabetically", contemporary speckled calf, spine gilt in compartments, red morocco lettering-piece, offsetting from bookplate, extremities bumped

Sir James Colquhoun, armorial bookplate on upper pastedown

Gaskell 1 ("Baskerville's first and perhaps his finest book")

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A FINE COPY OF WHAT IS WIDELY REGARDED AS THE MOST IMPRESSIVE OF BASKERVILLE'S BOOKS. "Its startlingly novel and calligraphic type, the density of the ink, the excellence of the presswork, the smoothness and gloss of the paper -- all these elements work in harmony in a design that was unusually sober for a relatively expensive book..." (Oxford DNB).

"Baskerville spared neither pains nor money to make his books as fine as he could, but his standards of textual accuracy were too low for the results to be entirely successful; most of his ൲books were unusually beautiful, expensive and incorrect" (Gaskell, p.xix).