[Brome, Alexander, editor]

8vo (164 x 105mm.), contemporary sheep, double blind fillet border, without first and last blanks, binding rubbed

The Earls of Macclesfield, armorial bookplate, sale in these rooms, 13 March 2008, lot 3897

Wing R307

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

An unusual collection of Royalist rhymes, satires and so on. "The importance of Ratts Rhimed to Death actually derives from a number of unique features of the collection: it is, for example, the first miscellany in English to be consciously devoted to street ballads, while the uniformly topical and political nature of the satires of which it is comprised marks it as the first true collection of what was shortly to become an immensely popular form of miscellany, the anthologized 'poems on affairs of state'" (Mark McDayter, online edition of Rump: An exact collection, http://ett.arts.uwo.ca/rump/site/welcome.html).

In "To the reader", the work appears to refer to itself as a second edition, but no earlier edition appears extant. It was however expanded later in the year and published as The Rump, or a collection of songs and ballads, made upon those who would be a Parliament, and were but the rump of an House of Commons, five times dissolv'd.