James I, King of England | Basilikon Doron, 1603; A Meditation on the Lords Prayer, 1619, 2 volumes

James I, King of England

Two works by James, comprising:

i) Βασιλικων δωρον. Or his maiesties instructions to his dearest sonne, Henry the Prince. London: Felix Kyngston, for John Norton, according to the copie printed at Edenburgh, 1603. Third edition, small 8vo (162 x 102mm.), woodcut device to title, old mottled calf, double fillet border [ESTC S107538; STC 14351], rebacked, title and final blank with neat tissue repairs to versos, slight worming and dampstaining at upper margin

ii) A Meditation Upon the Lords Prayer, Written by the Kings Maiestie, for the benefit of all his subiects, especially of such as follow the Court. London: printed by Bonham Norton and John Bill, 1619. FIRST EDITION, 8vo (144 x 92mm.), title within ruled border, woodcut royal arms on verso of title-page, woodcut initial, head- and tailpiece, final colophon leaf, some text passages marked with asterisks in margins, contemporary limp vellum gilt, gilt edges, housed in modern half calf slipcase, [ESTC S107629; STC 14384], slight soiling at margins, repaired tears and supplied section to final blank, some worming at spine ends, extremities slightly rubbed

PROVENANCE:

i) John Newporth: ownership inscription to title, dated 1640; Brent Gration-Maxfield, twentieth-century bibliophile: his instructions to binder on rear endpaper ("Mr. Lewis, I have carefully repaired this initial and original blank, but would like it rebound at the end, and the original final blank bound in before the title. Bibliographically it won't hurt and it will approve the appearance. I have treated both blanks with a silicon size. Bind in blue morocco to usual style." Evidently, Gration-Maxfield's instructions were not carried out).

ii) Elizabeth Andrew: signature on front flyleaf; Andrew Napper: ownership inscription to rear endpaper, dated 1701