[SAUNDERS, Richard, as Cardanus Rider]. The Court and City Register; or, Gentleman's Complete Annual Calendar, for the year 1781; containing, I. New and Correct Lists of Both Houses of Parliament. II. The Court Register. III. Lists of the Army, Navy, Universities, Public Offices, Hospitals, etc. With Many Improvements, and the Addition of Some New Lists. Published in London: Printed for J. Joliffe [and 20 others], [1781].
[Bound together with:]
[SAUNDERS, Richard, as Cardanus Rider]. Rider's British Merlin: For the Year of Our Lord God 1781. Being the Second After Bissextile, or Leap Year. Adorned With Many Delightful and Useful Verities Fitting all Capacities in the Islands of Great Britain's Monarchy. With Notes of Husbandry, Fairs, Marts, High Roads, and Tables for Many Necessary Uses. Compiled for His Country's Benefit. London: Printed for the Company of Stationers, and sold by G. Hawkins, at Stationer's-hall, near Ludgate Street, 1781.
Two works in one volume. Leather-bound. Hardcover. Duodecimo (138 x 80 x 28 mm.). Pp. 4; [60]; 272. English text printed in red and black. Contemporary English red morocco, gilt decorated, raised bands to spine forming compartments, date direct to second in gilt, remaining compartments richly gilt with floral motifs, all edges gilt, metal clasps, marbled endpapers. The almanack bound-in towards the front - this printed in red and black, and interleaved as usual. Woodcut anatomical figure B1v. Provenance: Large armorial bookplate belonging to Sir George Cockerill to front pastedown and fep. Condition: Fair to good. Binding secure, the clasps intact, joints and extremities lightly rubbed, light scuffing to boards. Interior largely fresh and clean, all leaves intact. An excellent copy.
Notes: A handsome Georgian-era almanac, in a highly attractive contemporary binding. Cardanus Rider is now believed to have been the pseudonym of physician and astronomer Richard Saunders (1613-1675). He was a member of the circle of William Lilly, whose own Merlin was first published in 1644; Rider's British Merlin was first published in in 1653, and was printed annually into the nineteenth century. The Court and City Register was first published in 1746.
