The historie of the world in five bookes. 1 Intreating of the beginning and first ages of the same, from the Creation unto Abraham. 2 Of the times from the birth of Abraham to the destruction of the Temple of Solomon. 3 From the destruction of Jerusalem, to the time of Philip of Macedon. 4 From the raigne of Philip of Macedon, to the establishing of that kingdome in the race of Antigonus. 5 From the settled rule of Alexanders successors in the East, untill the Romans (prevailing over all) made conquest of Asia and Macedon. By Sir Walter Ralegh, Knight

Raleigh, Sir Walter

Published by London: Printed for R. Best Jo. Place & Sam : Cartwright, and are to be sould at Graies Inn Gate, in Holborne and at the Hand and Bible in Duck Lane, 1652

About this Item

Folio [13.00 tall x 9.50 wide x 3.50 thick]. ESTC R13127. Collates complete [66], 184, 181-555, [1], 1-512, 517-669, [55]p. Complete despite some erratic pagination. With six folding double-page maps. Engraved titlepage, signed Ren; Elstrack Sculpsit preceded by a page of explanatory verse. The letterpress title page includes an engraved portrait of Raleigh signed, Sim: Pass Sculpt. And Comp. Holland exc. , with Raleigh arms below. A very good, clean, solid and sound copy. Minor light marks, occasional small marginal nicks or tears else an attractive copy. The History of the World is Raleigh s most important prose work. It was originally intended as a multi volume project, covering the creation of the world through Greek, Egyptian and biblical history to 146BC. Initially the book seems to have been intended as an educational tool for Henry, Prince of Wales, 1594-1612, with many references to warfare, kingship and strategy: Whosoever commands the trade of the world commands the riches of the world, and consequently the world itself . Thanks to its association with the prince, the book was entered on to the list of officially approved books held at Stationers Hall in 1611 and all seemed set fair. But when Henry died in 1612, Raleigh was forced to bring the project to a sudden and premature conclusion. His narrative ends abruptly with the second Macedonian war instead of continuing through tow more volumes as originally intended. Several months after publication in 1614, James ordered further sales of the book to be supressed and all unsold copies to be confiscated for divers exceptions . A rather attractive copy, presented in a well preserved, contemporary binding. Bound in a full contemporary leather binding. Blind ruled double borders. Nicely re-backed in a matching period style with a gilt-lettered morocco label to the spine. Some neat corner repairs (not recently). A rather attractive, restored contemporary binding. MULTIPLE PHOTO IMAGES AVAILABLE. CONTACT US FOR DETAILS.

Seller Inventory # ABE-1707221418371

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The historie of the world in five bookes. 1 Intreating of the beginning and first ages of the same, from the Creation unto Abraham. 2 Of the times from the birth of Abraham to the destruction of the Temple of Solomon. 3 From the destruction of Jerusalem, to the time of Philip of Macedon. 4 From the raigne of Philip of Macedon, to the establishing of that kingdome in the race of Antigonus. 5 From the settled rule of Alexanders successors in the East, untill the Romans (prevailing over all) made ...
• Publisher: London: Printed for R. Best Jo. Place & Sam : Cartwright, and are to be sould at Graies Inn Gate, in Holborne and at the Hand and Bible in Duck Lane
• Publication Date: 1652
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket
• Seller catalogs:
  • 17th Century English Theology