A Survey of London, by John Stow, Reprinted from the Text of 1603, complete in 2 vols.

Stow, John; Kingsford, Charles Lethbridge ed.

Edité par Clarendon Press, Oxford, England, 1908

A propos de cet article

In two volumes, complete. This is a reprint of the 1603 edition, itself a later edition. Printed at the Clarendon Press by Horace Hart. Presentation copy to Major Richard Rigg, O.B.E. [1877-1942]. Later oxblood-color full calf presentation binding, and with hubbed spines in six panels. The binding ca. 1925 and attributed to Zaehnsdorf. The spines with crisp, gilt-stamped lettering. The front boards with the official blazon of the Guild of Freemen of the City of London, in crisp gilt stamping. Unbumped and unabraded spine heads and tails, and with generally sharp corners. The leather binding is exceptionally clean and almost entirely free of scratches, and with very minor rubbing. The spines are very slightly sunned. The text blocks are firmly bound in, with sturdy hinges. 8.75 x 5.75 inches. With handsome marbled paper pastedowns and FEPs. T.E.G. Vol. I with xciii, 352 pages, including a preface, a life of Stow, documents illustrating Stow's life, bibliography and corrigenda. Also with frontispiece portrait of Stow [with pristine tissue guard], a reproduction of the first page of a revised holographic draft from the "Tanner MS" in the Bodleian, and facsimile title page from the 1603 edition. Vol. II with 476 numbered pages, including variations of the first edition of the survey in 1598, notes, glossary, and indexes. Also with frontispiece photo of Stow's tomb in St. Andrew Undershaft [with pristine tissue guard], and a superb Map of London, showing the Wards and Liberties as described by Stow, c. 1600. The colored, fold-out map with minor foxing/spotting. The book set is impressively clean overall. An engaging and handsome set of two volumes and a pleasure to hold in hand. A Very Good Plus book set. Scarce in any condition. Weight 4 lbs. The edition of 1603 was printed for the most part in black letter. In the present edition the Roman type represents the black letter of the original; the italic type is used for those passages or phrases which, in 1603, were printed in Roman type. John Stow [1525-1605] was an English historian and antiquarian. He wrote a series of chronicles of English history, published from 1565 onwards. Stow's Survey of London, from its first publication in 1598, has taken rank as the first authority on the history of London. This was a work of chorography: a detailed ward-by-ward topographical and historical tour of the city, providing a unique account of its buildings, social conditions and customs. A second, revised edition appeared in 1603. Stow's antiquarian interests attracted suspicion from the ecclesiastical authorities as a person "with many dangerous and superstitious books in his possession." A slipped-in presentation card reads, "Presented to Major Richard Rigg, O.B.E., T.D., J.P., by the Wardens & Court of Assistants of the Guild of Freemen of the City of London as a token of their appreciation of his kindness and courtesy throughout a successful year of office as Master, 1925." Rigg was briefly a Member of Parliament. During WWI he served in the Border Regiment. As to the official blazon on the front boards, Londini defende tuos deus optime cives, O, most gracious lord, defend thy citizens of London. The cross is the cross of St. George, exactly as used in the arms of the City of London, and the white rose. Used by the Guild of Freemen of the City of London. The arms were officially granted in 1910. A slipped-in receipt in Vol. I shows that this book set was sold in 1976 by Marshall Field & Co., Chicago.

N° de réf. du vendeur 008267

Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: A Survey of London, by John Stow, Reprinted from the Text of 1603, complete in 2 vols.
• Éditeur: Clarendon Press, Oxford, England
• Date de parution: 1908
• Langue: anglais
• Reliure: Full-Leather
• État de l'article: Very Good Plus
• État de la jaquette: No Jacket
• Poids: 4 livres
• Catalogues du vendeur:
  • Fine Press, Fine Bindings
  • History
  • Typography