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A fair copy of the extremely scarce '2nd impression' of Edward Grimeston's Generall Historie of the Netherlands. Grimeston was known as prolific translator, and the first edition of the Historie was largely taken from J F Le Petit's 'La Grand Chronique Ancienne et Moderne de Hollande'. It was a fairly faithful translation, but he researched the subject, adding text on the years 1601-1608, using sources such as Emanuel Demetrius. It was very popular but he was criticised for not including more on the efforts and achievements of the English troops in Flanders. In his address at the beginning of the 2nd, 1627, edition, he states that he did in 1608 'observe my Authors.They were men borne in those countries, who would arrogate as much as might be, to their own Nation'. In the new edition, he 'had conference with some of the great Commanders and Captaines' from the English side, and endeavoured to redress the balance. He wanted to also bring the edition up to date, but apparently his printers did not allow it, so this work was done by William Crosse. The second edition has fewer engravings (29), and the pagination has numerous errors, presumably testament to all the revisions and additions. This copy is contemporary full leather which was rebacked at some point, to preserve some of the spine. The repair was not particularly high quality and there is some old tape at the internal spine joints. The boards themselves are generally clean with some scuffing. There is a lot of repair to corners (now flaking) and the bottom corner of the back board is soft. The spine remnants are quite dry and flaky. Internally there is an old note at the front endpaper, repeated on the initial blank, which also has an elaborate signature of William Forde of Manchester, 1800. The note states that the book is rare and that he has found an entry in White's Catalogue for it in 1801 at a cost of 18/-. Contents with engraved title - with signatures to top; dedication 2pp; Translator's preface 2pp; text pp 1-1262 with continuation by Crosse pp 1276-1588, with 29 three quarter page engravings, Finis; Index 13pp Finis. The pagination is all over the place eg pp 1262 - blank - 1276 (where the Continuation starts). Please enquire if you would like to see the full list. All the ties work bar one - 1266-1249 - but this is because the tie is wrong - the text is fine. The contents are generally clean, with occasional marking, and the odd edge tear, and are complete. Elaborate head and tailpieces and initial capitals. The paper is lightly toned and quite light in weight. The initial leaves through to p 1 are very fragile with some loss at the edges. There is light persistent staining at the top margin which is not particularly noticeable until the end of the work, where the stain is at the top corner, which becomes quite fragile. There is sporadic slight worming in the bottom corner - and occasional exploits elsewhere - but away from the text. There is the occasional burn hole, edge tear, corner margin loss - please enquire if you would like to see the full list.
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