BINDINGS. - T. OSBORNE, and others (publishers). An Universal History, from the Earliest Account of Time, compiled from original authors. London. London: T. Osborne, A. Millar, J. Osborn, 1747-48. Volumes 1-20 (? only), 8vo (200 x 127mm.) 110 engraved plates and maps, some folding, 29pp. list of subscribers. (Vols. I and II heavily affected by damp, vol. III slightly wormed). Contemporary calf, the spines in six compartments with raised bands, red morocco lettering piece in the second compartment, blue morocco in the third, the others with elaborate repeat decoration in gilt (covers of vols. I and II with damp damage, some spines chipped at head and foot, some scuffing and light surface damage). Provenance: Sir Thos. Neave, Bart (armorial bookplate). Note: This work is arguably complete in either 20 volumes (as here), 21 volumes (including vol. 21 'Chronological tables to the foregoing twenty volumes', 1754), or 65 volumes (with vols. 22-65 'The modern part of An Universal History', 1759-1766, with the volume numbering starting again at 1 and running through to 44). At the end of the preface to the 20th volume the publishers ('the Proprietors of this Work') offer thanks to the subscribers for their support 'on the closing of their Great Undertaking' (20).