8vo. [6], 9-50pp. Title-page a cancel. With three engraved plates, extra-illustrated with an additional engraved portrait depicting Sir Christopher Turnor and a single leaf, with text to both sides (from another, unidentified volume) regarding his life bound in following leaf C4. Contemporary calf-backed vellum-tipped marbled boards, gilt. Extremities rubbed, some loss to spine, else fine. Presentation copy, inked inscription to recto of FFEP; 'For Mr. Wolley / from the Author. / Mr. (Blore?) is making a collection / of the portraits of Judges: but / for what purpose Mr. (Turner?) / is ignorant'. From the recently dispersed Edge Hall library.

A fine presentation copy of a rare compilation of the lives of the political and judicial figures honoured with permanent representations, in marble sculpture (in the case of Alderman Beckford and the Earl of Chatham, both of which are elegantly engraved within) and oil painting, at the City of London's Guildhall.

The anonymous - but presumably antiquarian - editor confesses in his prefaced 'advertisement' that the work is extended from various biographical accounts in 'the Gentleman's Magazine' by reference to 'all information, both printed and manuscript, that lay within his knowledge' for the purpose of placing 'due value on honors conferred by the Metropolis of a great commercial Country'.

Another edition, with a different imprint, appeared the same year (ESTC T76864); both are very rare, with ESTC recording copies at a single location in the British Isles (BL), and none elsewhere.