Publius Virgilius Maro Typis C. Corrall; Impensis Gul. [William] Pickering, 31, Lincoln's Inn Fields, 1821. 16mo, full red leather binding by Hayday, upper board lettered centrally in gilt ''J.L.R.'', spine lettered directly in gilt ''Vergiliu'' [sic], gilt roll-tooled board edges, a.e.g.; eng. frontis. and title; provenance: gift from J[ames] L[eslie] R[andall] ''Archdeacon of Oxford and Bishop of Reading'' to E.F. Paget 1901 (ink inscription on upper pastedown). Randall was the inaugural Bishop of Reading. E.F. Paget is likely Edward Francis, son of Francis Paget (who was made Bishop of Oxford in 1901 and Randall's superior). Edward also became a clergyman and was the Bishop of Rhodesia and Archbishop of Central Africa. It is possible this was a gift to Francis on his elevation in 1901 but he does not appear to have a first initial E, unlike his son. The binding was executed by Hayday. James Hayday's was a highly-desirable name in 19th-century binding. William Pickering, who published this work, worked with him and introduced him to wealthy patrons. Eventually his craft binding was unable to compete with cheaper binders and he was declared bankrupt in 1861. He sold the name to William Mansell who continued the business. It is not clear whether the binding dates from the earlier Hayday period but given the connection between Pickering and Hayday it is more than possible. The book was the second in Pickering's Diamond Classics series - classical authors in small format. Pickering began publishing in 1820, but became famous through his work with Charles Corrall. Together they produced miniature books (claimed, at least in advertising, as the smallest editions ever published) which provided a novelty for the public - and a strain for the eyes. Amongst his other achievements Pickering is credited with introducing cloth-covered boards as a publisher's binding. This is thus an early example of the work of a man who helped raise the standard of book production of his era through his high standards and dedication. with De Imitatione Christi, Lugdnui: Rusand, 1822, 12mo, full calf and The Book of Common Prayer, Cambridge: John Archdeacon, 1785, 8vo, full calf.