Rider's British Merlin: For the Year of Our Lord God 1778.

London: [first work] for the Company of Stationers, and sold by G. Hawkins; [second work] for J. Almon [and 14 others],, 1778. A handsome Georgian-era almanac, in a highly attractive contemporary binding. Almanacs such as this provided information on the dates of markets, lists of MP's and advise on which foods to eat at certain times of year depending on your temperament. Cardanus Rider is often said, though probably wrongly, to be the pseudonym of the medical practitioner and astrologer Richard Saunders (1613-1675), who published under his own name an almanac, Apollo Anglicanus, from 1654 until his death. It continued to be published under his name until at least 1781. Saunders 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 Royal Kalendar was first published in 1767, this edition first published in 1775. Two works bound in a single vol., duodecimo (135 x 73 mm). First work printed in red and black, and interleaved as usual; woodcut anatomical figure. Contemporary red morocco, envelope flap with metal clasp, spine lettered and decorated in gilt, elaborate gilt tooling to covers, floral endpapers, green silk moiré flap to rear pastedown, gilt edges. Partially erased pencil inscriptions to front and rear blank leaves. Small ink marginalia to p. 91. Minor rubbing to extremities, light toning and soiling to leather, minor wear to inside hinge of envelope flap; a very good, bright copy.