This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/25/2024
[RALEIGH, Sir Walter (1552-1618), subject]. [KING JAMES I (1566-1625), association]. [BACON, Sir Francis (1561-1626), contributor]. A Declaration of the Demeanor and Cariage of Sir Walter Raleigh, Knight, as well as in his Voyage, as in, and sithence his Returne; And of the true motives and inducements which occasioned His Majestie to Proceed in doing Iustice upon him, as hath bene done. London: Printed by Bonham Norton and John Bill, 1618. 8vo. Extra-illustrated with a full-page frontispiece portrait of Raleigh. Lacking the first blank leaf, which is absent in virtually all copies. [ii], 1-63, [1, blank] pp. Bound to style in modern full brown calf, boards decoratively paneled in blind, spine tooled and lettered in gilt (some rubbing, minor wear to binding, hinges starting, some soiling, marginal repairs to title-page, some light foxing to text, text trimmed a bit close at upper margin. Near fine. FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE. PRESENTATION COPY FROM A MEMBER OF RALEIGH’S FAMILY (a 17th century inscription on the title-page, “From his very much esteemed friend Raleigh.”, possibly Raleigh’s cousin, George (inscription a bit faded)). This is the official apologia for Raleigh’s execution at the order of King James I, mainly composed by Bacon, but also by the other commissioners who tried Raleigh with additions by the King himself. It was published soon after Raleigh’s beheading. Since Starkey’s article (in The Library, September, 1948), this edition, once thought to be the second or later issue, is now considered to be the correct first edition, first issue.