Select Remains of the Rev. John Mason, M.A., Late Rector of Water-Stratford in the County of Bucks; Containing a Variety of Devout and Useful Sayings on Divers Subjects, Digested Under Proper Heads: Religious Observations, Serious Advice to Youth, Occasional Reflections, &c., and Christian Letters.
 
Publication Details:
 
Date: 1808. The 18th edition, with eighteen letters not included in earlier editions.
Publisher: W. Baynes, 54 Paternoster Row, London.
Printer: W. Nicholson, Warner Street, London.
 
Binding:

Bound in full calf leather with blind-stamped decorative borders to boards and panelled spine. A handsome period binding, still robust, though showing some wear consistent with age.
 
Condition:
 
Cover: Attractive but rubbed, with light bumping to corners and a handful of small holes.
Spine: Panelled and intact, though rubbed and tanned with some wear.
Pages: All edges sprinkled (now faded). Internally complete with all 164 pages plus 2 additional pages of publisher’s catalogue at rear. Pages generally clean and legible with occasional minor marks. Pages show tanning and some small holes and tears near edges, likely from old insect wear, some of which affect text but remain readable.
Creases: No folds; pages uncreased, with only light handling marks.
Marks: Minor ink marks to both front and rear pastedowns.
Pen: Small pen marks to front pastedown and rear pastedown.
Binding: Crack between front pastedown and front free endpaper, and a partial crack along inner hinge of title page. However, all sections remain securely bound.
Miscellaneous Notes: Some page numbering errors (e.g., xiii misprinted), but text collates complete and reads correctly.
 
Physical Details:
 
Pages Present: All 164 pages + 2 page publisher's catalogue at rear.
Measurements: 14.6 × 9.2 × 1.6 cm (this is a small book)
Weight: 117g.
Dust Jacket: None issued.
 
Historical Context & Significance:
 
John Mason (c.1645–1694) was a respected English nonconformist minister and devotional writer. His Select Remains became a widely read and frequently reprinted spiritual text during the 18th and early 19th centuries. This 1808 edition is notable for including eighteen additional letters not found in smaller editions, making it especially appealing to collectors of early English religious literature or fans of Puritan and post-Puritan thought.
 
While the book is not extremely rare due to its popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries, early 19th-century copies in original full calf bindings with publisher’s catalogue are increasingly scarce, especially in complete, unrestored condition.