The anthology of the 18th century, "A Collection of Poems by Several Hands" was edited by Alexander Pope's protege, Robert Dodsley. It includes poems by Samuel Johnson, Thomas Gray, David Garrick, Lady Mary Wortley Montague, Horace Walpole, Joseph and Thomas Warton, James Thomson, Elizabeth Carter, Pope and others. Begun as a three volume work in 1748, the collection had grown to six volumes by 1758, and went through 11 editions in 34 years. Together with his brother James, Dodsley became one of the most celebrated publishers of the age. In 1755 "The Edinburgh Review" judged the anthology "much more valueable than any other of the same kind" and the "Gentleman's Magazine" (1780) called it "the best in our language." Although the collection occupied a central place in 18th century literary culture, it has not been in print for more than 200 years. This edition (1782) includes additional annotations by James Dodsley and biographical and historical notes by Isaac Reed.

The Correspondence of Robert Dodsley 1733-1764 brings to light much previously unpublished detail for the study of eighteenth-century British literary and publishing history. It is a fully annotated edition of letters exchanged between Robert Dodsley - London's leading literary publisher of the mid eighteenth century - and his authors, members of the book trade, and friends. Numbering about four hundred pieces, the correspondence reflects the publisher's relations with such people as Edmund Burke, the 4th Earl of Chesterfield, David Garrick, Thomas Gray, David Hume, Samuel Johnson, Laurence Sterne, and Horace Walpole. A lengthy introduction provides an account of Dodsley's publishing career, including his negotiations with authors and other publishers, and offers many insights into the technical and financial operation of the contemporary book trade.