FOXE, [JOHN]. 'THE FIRST VOLUME OF THE ECCLESIASTICALL HISTORY, CONTAYNING THE ACTES [AND] MONUMENTES OF THINGES PASSED IN EUERY KINGES TIME, IN THIS REALME, ESPECIALLY IN THE CHURCHE OF ENGLAND PRINCIPALLY TO BE NOTED...' LONDON: JOHN DAYE, 1576

Two volumes bound in one, folio (12 7/8 x 8 3/8 in.; 327 x 214mm). Title-pages with illustrated woodcut borders, historiated initials, printed in two columns in black letter interlaced with roman and italic, shoulder notes, numerous woodcut illustrations throughout, 2 folding plates, woodcut tailpieces; margins of title reinforced, lacking 2 folding plates, lacking LLLl_ii and LLLl_v, worming, some soiling and dampstaining, occasional toning, a few stray ink stains, closed tear to OOOOo_vi. Full brown calf, covers with decorative brass bosses, spine with raised bands in eight compartments, each with decorative tools; joints staring, lacking clasps, some expert restoration to boards. 

STC 11224; ESTC S121348; Luborsky & Ingram 11224

Two volumes bound in one, folio (12 7/8 x 8 3/8 in.; 327 x 214mm). Title-pages with illustrated woodcut borders, historiated initials, printed in two columns in black letter interlaced with roman and italic, shoulder notes, numerous woodcut illustrations throughout, 2 folding plates, woodcut tailpieces; margins of title reinforced, lacking 2 folding plates, lacking LLLlii and LLLlv, worming, some soiling and dampstaining, occasional toning, a few stray ink stains, closed tear to OOOOovi. Full brown calf, covers with decorative brass bosses, spine with raised bands in eight compartments, each with decorative tools; joints staring, lacking clasps, some expert restoration to boards.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot provided by Sotheby's. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colours and shades which are different to the lot's actual colour and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because Sotheby's is not a professional conservator or restorer but rather the condition report is a statement of opinion genuinely held by Sotheby's. For that reason, Sotheby's condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot.

Originally published early in Elizabeth I's reign—and only five years after the death of the Roman Catholic Queen Mary I—Foxe's Acts and Monuments served as an affirmation of the Reformation in a period of continuing conflict between Catholics and the Church of England. Through historical justification, it was Foxe's intention to demonstrate that the Church of England was a continuation of the true Christian church, rather than a modern innovation.