This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/21/2024
[WELLESLEY, Arthur, Duke of Wellington (1769-1852), association]. MORELLIUS, Andreas. Specimen Universae Rei Nummariae Antiquae. [Bound with]: Ezechielis Spanhemii ad Eximium Virum. Leipzig: J. Thoman Fritsch, 1695. Small 8vos. First title illustrated with title vignette, pictorial headpieces, decorative initials, and 26 plates depicting coins. 2 volumes bound in one. [viii], 262, [2, blank]; 344, [40], [1, Errata], [1, blank] pp. Approximately 7 x 4 ¼”. Full contemporary full vellum, ink titles to spine (front joint cracking, binding worn, soiled, some wear, chipping to text, text toned, foxed). Good. FIRST EDITION, INSCRIBED BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON ON THE VERSO OF THE FFEP: “MARY.-- BELIEVE ME YOURS WELLINGTON MARCH 2, 1827.” This was most likely inscribed by Wellington to his long time friend, Mary Stanley, the Countess of Derby, also known as Mary Gascoyne Cecil, the Marchioness of Salisbury. He had a long relationship with her and in fact an entire book was written about her relationship with Wellington and their letters. Interesting to note is the additional signature of “J. Locke” on the title page dated 1699. After careful research, this signature is almost certainly the signature of the philosopher John Locke (1632-1704) as the signature matches his exactly from this period though scholarly opinion on the signature is mixed. This book is not one of those listed in Harrison and Laslett’s book “The Library of John Locke” most probably because the book departed Locke’s library during Locke’s lifetime and was not a part of the library collection when Harrison and Laslett created their book and census.