Beckford (William).- [Waldron (Francis Godolphin) and Silvester Harding.] The Biographical Mirrour, comprising a series of Ancient and Modern English Portraits..., vol.1 & 2 only (of 3), vol.1 with engraved title-vignette, 100 engraved plates by Harding after various artists (listed as 101 with Henry Prince of Wales and John Lord Harrington together on same plate in vol.2), extra-illustrated with 22 additional states of the plates, mostly proofs before letters, some tipped into mounts, occasional foxing, most lightly offset, engraved heraldic shelf-label of Lord Minto, William Beckford's copy bound in typical contemporary half red straight-grain morocco with L-shaped corner-pieces, corner-pieces with gilt flame ornaments at ends, spines title and ruled in gilt, g.e., a little rubbed, spines faded, slight wear to corners and corner-pieces, 4to, S. & E.Harding, 1795-98.

⁂ A third volume was issued in 1802.

Provenance: William Beckford (1760-1844), novelist, writer and collector, whose library passed to his son-in-law, the 10th Duke of Hamilton, and was sold in the great Hamilton Palace sales of 1882-83. Many of Beckford's books were bound with L-shaped corner-pieces, often stamped with family crests.