Stow, John

FIRST EDITION, small 4to (187 x 139mm.), large woodcut on title, woodcut initials, mostly black letter, contemporary or near contemporary vellum, preliminaries worn with loss, including to title page at fore-edge, some tears (including in two places to P1 and one to Y7), soiling and browning, a few later annotations on title page and final blanks, vellum soiled, creased and darkened; together with a copy of the 1618 edition, bound in later mottled calf (2)

STC 23342 and 23344

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where 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."

A FIRST EDITION OF STOW'S MOST CELEBRATED WORK. The first edition appeared with two variant imprints, 1598 and, as in this example, 1599. This copy has the second setting of quire Hh recorded by STC, with the errata present on Hh10v and the second line of Hh1r reading "whom".

A second edition of the title appeared in 1603, followed by the third edition of 1618 which included additions by Anthony Munday.