(Bindings, English. Charles II)

4to (9 1/4 x 7 in.; 235 x 178 mm). Imprimatur leaf A1 with engraved arms of the Royal Society on the verso, engraved allegorical frontispiece by Wencelaus Hollar depicting the crowning of a bust of Charles II flanked by mathematician Lord Viscount William Brouncker and Sir Francis Bacon, two engraved folding plates facing pages 173 and 233, woodcut initials, letterpress tables, errata leaf at the end (3I4); a few tiny rust-holes sometimes costing bits of a few letters, and light, occasional browning. Contemporary polished red morocco, presumably by Samuel Mearne,  large central compartment paneled by triple gilt fillets, Charles II's addorsed cipher "CC" crowned and wreathed at each outer corner of the panel, double fillet borders, the spine in seven compartments lettered in the second with the others repeating Charles's cipher, the board edges gilt with a floriated roll, plain endpapers, edges gilt; extremities slightly rubbed, a few old scratches on lower cover, one flyleaf loose, marginal offsetting to endpapers from turn-ins.  

Charles II, King of Great Britain (bound for him as above) — R. Graham (engraved armorial bookplate lettered with his cursive cipher RG) — Charles Chauncey, M.D. (engraved armorial bookplate) — Howard C. Levis (engraved armorial bookplate; sold to:) — The Rosenbach Company, Booksellers (1929, its stock-number 140/28 on the upper pastedown and again in the gutter of page 23; the Rosenbach Pepys-Evelyn catalogue Free Library, 1933, [Arno no. 59], p. 2) — Raymond and Elizabeth Hartz (sale, Sotheby's New York, 12 December 1991, lot 150). acquisition: Purchased at the foregoing sale through Bernard Quaritch

Wing S5032; ESTC R16577

4to (9 1/4 x 7 in.; 235 x 178). Imprimatur leaf A1 with engraved arms of the Royal Society on the verso, engraved allegorical frontispiece by Wencelaus Hollar depicting the crowning of a bust of Charles II flanked by mathematician Lord Viscount William Brouncker and Sir Francis Bacon, two engraved folding plates facing pages 173 and 233, woodcut initials, letterpress tables, errata leaf at the end (3I4); a few tiny rust-holes sometimes costing bits of a few letters, and light, occasional browning. Contemporary polished red morocco, presumably by Samuel Mearne, large central paneled by triple gilt fillets, Charles II's addorsed cipher "CC" crowned and wreathed at each outer corner of the panel, double fillet borders, the spine in seven compartments lettered in the second with the others repeating Charles's cipher, the board edges gilt with a floriated roll, plain endpapers, edges gilt; extremities slightly rubbed, a few old scratches on lower cover, one flyleaf loose, marginal offsetting to endpapers from turn-ins.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

First edition, the dedication copy, bound for King Charles II, founder of the Royal Society.