Gay, John.

The What D'Ye Call It: a Tragi-Comi-Pastoral Farce. For Bernard Lintott, [1715], 8vo, first edition, large paper copy, with autograph ownership inscription by the author's nephew ("Joseph Baller | his Book 1722"), engraved frontispiece, modern brown morocco, spine in compartments lettered in gilt, gilt dentelles, preserving earlier upper wrapper; Fables. C. Hitch and L. Hawes, J. and R. Tonson et al., 1757, 8vo, 2 volumes in 1 (with continuous pagination), frontispiece, title vignette and numerous plates, contemporary mottled calf gilt, spine gilt in compartments, morocco lettering-piece, gilt dentelles, marbled endpapers (2)

[The What D'Ye Call It:] H. Buxton Forman, bookplate on inside upper wrapper and note of acquisition dated 17 October 1899; Gay's nephew Joseph Baller, ownership inscription on recto of frontispiece leaf; "Geo: Johnston", ownership inscription

[Fables:] The literary editor George Steevens (1736-1800), bookplate on upper pastedown (his library was sold by King in May 1800); the antiquary and editor Edward Vernon Utterson (c.1777-1856), morocco book-label on upper pastedown (two sales of his books were held, in 1852 and 1857); the book collector George Daniel, inscription on front endpaper, "Fine Copy of a scarce edition..." (his library was sold by Sotheby, Wilkinson and Hodge on 20 July 1864); W. Combes, armorial bookplate; Henry Davies, book-label; Julian Marshall (1836-1903), bookplate

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The What d'ye Call it is one of Gay's funniest and most assured plays, and parodies  Ambrose Philips, Thomas D'Urfey, Nicholas Rowe and Joseph Addison, as well as many other contemporary  playwrights. Though very successful in its own time (making Gay over £100) it was subsequently neglected for over two hundred years, before being revived in the twenteith century. The popular and charming Fables went through over 350 editions before 1900.