The History of the World, in Five Books de Sir Walter Ralegh, Kt - 1736

LONDON : G Conyers, J J and P Knapton, D Midwinter, A Bettesworth and C Hitch et al, 1736 A good copy of the 11th edition of Ralegh's work 'printed from a copy revis'd by Himself. To which is prefix'd The Life of the Author, newly compil'd from Materials more ample and authentik than have yet been publish'd; by Mr. Oldys. Also his Trial, with some Additions: together with a new and more copious Index to the whole Work'. In 2 full leather folio volumes with portrait of Ralegh, 6 double page maps, 2 double page plans, and tables. All page edges are red. Vol I has frontispiece portrait of Ralegh completed by G Vertue in 1735; title page in red and black inks; half title to the Life of Sir Walter Ralegh; second title and text - pages iv-ccxxxii; The Trial of ..with - pages ccxxxvii - ccl; listing of authors cited - 7 pp; 1 pge ad for Phoenix Britannicus; The preface - pages i-xxxii; Contents listing - 24 pp; First Book title and text with 2 double page maps and a table, pages 1-122; Second Book with 3 double page maps and a table, pages 123-370. Vol II has a red and black inked title page; Book 3 - pages 371-455; Book 4 - pages 456-540; Book 5 with 1 double page map and 2 double page diagrams of camps - pages 541-817; note to the reader - 2 pp; Chronological Table - 26 pp; and Index - 19 pp. All the sections have decorative headpieces, tailpieces and initial capitals. Both volumes have the bookplate of Sir Henry Fletcher on the front pastedown and a small ink note on the fep. Both are full leather with raised bands to the spine and extensive gilt decoration to the spine. Vol I has wear to the spine joints with some separation beginning at the front board, is missing the title label and has wear to corners - particularly the top corner of the back board where there is some loss. Internally the book is exceptionally clean. There is some light nibbling to the top corners of the final pages. Vol II has wear to spine joints and lacks a label. There is scuffing to the back board and wear to corners and darker staining at the bottom of the boards. Internally there is some light staining to the bottom margin to some initial leaves, some damp staining to the bottom third of the camp drawings and some light staining to the lower third of text pages of book 5 and the final leaves.