Fine Books and Manuscripts

[Hyde], Edward, Earl of Clarendon. The History of the Rebellion and Civil Wars in England, begun in the Year 1641… Oxford: Printed at the Theatre, 1704. 3-volumes, complete. First edition, second printing. Printed in the Great Primer roman and italic type commissioned by John Fell, Dean of Christ Church and Bishop of Oxford. Contemporary Cambridge-style dark paneled calf and mottled Cat’s Paw calf with gilt borders and cornerpieces, seven raised bands, two spine labels titled in gilt, compartments with gilt centerpieces and gilt rolls, gilt dentelle fore edges, marbled endpapers. Illustrated with half-titles, engraved frontispiece portrait of Clarendon by Robert White after Peter Lely in each volume, engraved title vignettes, numerous head and tail-pieces, and historiated initials by Michael Burghers who succeeded David Loggan as engraver to the University. Folio. Occasional rubbing to covers, out front joints tired with slight separation, gilt tooling rubbed in compartments, spine ends reinforced with later calf; interior clean. A very good example. Abbott 1236; Davies & Keeler 305; Grolier, 100 Books Famous in English Literature, 38; Grose 2958; NCBEL II 1680.