The History of the World

Raleigh, Sir Walter (1552-1618)

Edité par Printed by William Stansby for Walter Burre, London, 1614

A propos de cet article

Folio; 12 1/2 x 8 3/8 inches (317 x 212 mm). Collation: [2ff.] [40, ode, title page, Preface], [40, Contents of the Chapters], 1-651, [1]; [2 blank], 1-776; [2, To the Reader], [24, A Chronological Table], [16, An Alphabeticall Table.of the First and Second Bookes], [16, An Alphabeticall Table .of the Third, Fourth and Fift Bookes], [1, Errata], [1, Colophon] pp. Lacking final blank but with the RARE ERRATA LEAF present, and colophon with printer's device dated 1614. ILLUSTRATED with eight double-page engraved plates. Boards surfaces crackled and corners bumped, especially lower back corner. Pages supple with some dampstain and occasional spots. Marginalia mostly in light pencil, a few in sepia ink; occasional short edge tears, chips and losses to several leaves, not affecting text blocks; binding solid. [PMM 117; Pforzheimer 820; Lowndes V, 2039; ESTC S116300]. A RARE FIRST EDITION of Sir Walter Raleigh's best-known and and most extensive book, a landmark work of Jacobean scholarship, complete with the eight double-page plates. The History included the first appearance of an (anonymous) 18-line poem by Ben Jonson, titled "The Minde of the Front." The History was written while Raleigh was emprisoned in the Tower of London (1603?1616), accused of plotting to dethrone James I. This was only the first, though it remained the last, volume of a work which Raleigh intended should consist of at least three tomes. It was an instant success and had many subsequent editions, even though it was temporarily suppressed by King James I for being "too saucy in censuring the acts of princes". The work was published under the care of Ben Johnson, but Raleigh was actively involved in supervising the printing of his book, which was not common practice in the early 17th century. The History covers the course of human history from Genesis to the conquest of Macedon by Rome (146 BCE) and is divided into five books: the first two covering biblical history, the remaining three focusing on the history of Greece and Rome. Raleigh's overriding theme is the tyranny of monarchical rule, and the terrible divine vengeance that such tyranny brought. "The History proved an arsenal of political ammunition to the Englishmen who overthrew the absolutism of the Stewarts at home and laid the foundations of New England beyond the seas" (PMM 117). A CORNERSTONE WORK IN HISTORIOGRAPHY and one of the great books printed in England at the beginning of the 17th century.

N° de réf. du vendeur 1881

Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: The History of the World
• Éditeur: Printed by William Stansby for Walter Burre, London
• Date de parution: 1614
• Édition: First Edition.
• État de l'article: Very good +