Fine Books & Manuscripts

BAKER, Robert, sir (c. 1568–1645). A Chronicle of the Kings of England… London: Printed by E. Cotes, 1660. Folio in sixes. Engraved additional title by W. Marshall depicting a portrait of Charles I and the author with oval views of Verulam, Lincoln, London and York; with full length figures of a Roman, Saxon, Dane, and a Norman (upper margin toned). Full contemporary calf rebacked with original endpapers retained, raised bands, leather spine labels gilt (small void to outer margin of sig. Ff, occasional toning or spotting). Provenance: Earl of Essex (bookplate dated 1701); Francis Edward Thompson (inscription dated 1833 or 1855). THIRD EDITION edited by Edward Phillips of what is considered the best read and liked chronicle of any hitherto published, containing the mention of Shakespeare on p. 503 that was excised in later editions: “Poetry was never more Resplendent, nor never more Graced; wherein Johnson, Silvester, Shakspere…, not only far excelled their own Countrymen, but the World besides.” According to Sidney’s Shakespearana, “It is singular that this third edition of 1660 in which the above passage first occurs, should be rare. After a somewhat extensive search in the libraries of Cambridge, Oxford, London, Dublin, Paris, and elsewhere, the copies quoted are the only three that have been found”. A RARE EDITION. Pforzheimer 38. From the private library of a prominent Chicago collector, part II.