The Life of Cardinal Wolsey by George Cavedish, the Gentleman Usher, and Metrical Visions, from the Original Autograph Manuscript with Notes and other Illustrations by Samuel Weller Singer
London: Harrding, Triphook, and Lepard, 1825. Three-Quarter Leather. Very Good/Near Fine. Item #011008
2 Volumes Complete, 8vo., (5), xxvii, (5), 344pp.; lxxii, 304pp. Printed by C. Whittingham at the Chiswick Press. Very pretty First Chiswick Press Edition and First Complete Edition after the original abridgments of 1641 and 1810, and arguably the first important English biography. Additional material, the "Metrical Visions", are "... his tragic poems: laments in the voice of ill-fated contemporary figures..." There is also a section on who the true author was as there at been some theories, now debunked, that Cavendish has not actually written the manuscript material. Beautifully bound in three-quarter maroon roan over decorated paper-covered, gilt blocked boards, Gilt-stamped titling on spine with raised bands with gilt-stamped fleur-de-lis. Top edge gilt. Marbled end-papers. Several full-page illustrations in each volume inclkuding frontis portraits. Each volume is square, tight and quite clean throughout with only some very light scattered foxing and toning. Pages still generally fresh and supple. Some rubbing to edges, hinges and tips. Fairly mild toning to board edges and spine. Volume I lacking half-title. Front end-paper with an inexpert glue repair where it has separated but fairly firm and without tears. Joints expertly reinforced. Armorial bookplate of Samuel Edward Herrick, (Reverend), on each front paste-down with a written gift note at the bottom of each from one Jno M. Fiske. Herrick was a noted Massachusetts clergyman and author, publishing several volumes on Christian historical subjects. Both gentlemen were members of the City Missionary Society of Boston, (missionary history being the topic of one of the Reverend's publications). Tipped in to Vol. l is a letter from Fiske to a Mr. Doer, written on the letterhead of the Boston Customs House regarding the exchange of the present set if a copy is already in his possession. The Mr. Doer is unknown as it the relationship with the Rev. Fiske. The most recent owner was noted American collector Albert A. Howard with his small neat bookplate on the rear paste-down of each volume. A sharp collectable copy of a very important British work. (Wikipedia).
Price: $550.00