Raleigh, Sir Walter

Estimate

2,000 - 3,000 USD

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Description

Raleigh, Sir Walter
A Declaration of the Demeanor and Cariage of Sir Walter Raleigh, Knight, as well in his voyage, as in, and sithence his returne; and of the true motiues and inducements which occasioned His Maiestie to proceed in doing iustice vpon him, as hath bene done. London: printed by Bonham Norton and Iohn Bill, printers to the Kings most excellent Maiestie, 1618
ink, paper, leather

4to (6 7/8 x 5 in.; 13o x 175 mm). Present is the rare blank with an "A" in a woodcut border; this leaf a little soiled and creased as is the title-page, small holes to final text leaf, but a generally clean, well-margined copy. Modern paneled calf to style.

Provenance

Stirling Maxwell (bookplate) — Doyle, New York, 23 April 2012, lot 255). acquisition: Purchased at the foregoing sale through James Cummins

Literature

STC 20652.5; ESTC S115419; Pforzheimer 819; Sabin 67550

Catalogue Note

First edition. The King's rationalization for the beheading of the popular Raleigh, prepared in haste as a response to widespread discontent. Bacon is sometimes considered the sole author, and probably contributed much to it as a member of the Council, but the work contains additions authored by King James himself. It includes the royal commission granting Raleigh and his company the right to make voyages to America and to trade there, especially in gold and precious stones.