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[BRITISH HISTORY]. [KEMBLE, John M. (1807-1857), editor]. Codex Diplomaticus Aevi Saxonicin… London: Sumptibus Societatis [i.e. English Historical Society], 1839-48. 4tos. 6 volumes. cxxix, 321; xxiv, 436; lii, 468; xx, 317; xv, 403; xxxviii, 359 pp. Approximately 10 x 6 ¼”. Bound to style in modern quarter brown calf over marbled boards, spines ruled, tooled in gilt in compartments, four raised bands, burgundy gilt morocco lettering labels, new endpapers (title-pages with the perforated and embossed stamps of the “City Library Springfield Mass”, as well as a few scattered pages with the perforated stamp). Fine. RARE FIRST EDITION, LARGE PAPER COPY. The Codex Diplomaticus aevi Saxonici was published in 1839-48, for the English Historical Society and was the only edition printed. Kemble’s famous book, Saxons in England (1876) was founded on the Codex. An extensive study of more than 1,400 Anglo-Saxon and Norman legal and administrative documents, from Kemble’s own collection, the British Museum and various college and cathedral libraries. Includes introductory material and index in English. Text in Latin and Anglo-Saxon, introductory material, notes and index in English. “[This work] must remain the great original of all such undertakings, and the pattern to be followed by all future editors of charters. Besides the exact knowledge of Anglo-Saxon and the skill in deciphering documents displayed by this book, it presents, though so unobtrusively as to be almost likely to escape notice, proofs of an amazing amount of knowledge and critical acumen.” (DNB).