From its commencement, to the restoration of Charles the Second
In Four Volumes

By Godwin, William

London: printed for Henry Colburn, 1824-8. First Editions. 8vo – 21.9 cm. [xvi], 496; [xvi], 696; [xvi], 599; [xvi], 608 pp. In four volumes with matching bindings. Period ¾ brown calf with marbled board and matching marbled end leaves and page edges. Spine with five raised bands and decorative gilt compartments, spine titles in gilt on burgundy and black morocco labels. Prior owner’s attractive armorial bookplate of Loftus Leigh Pemberton inside front cover, marbled page edges all around to match covers and end leaves. A Very Good+ set with near fine interiors, strong hinges and complete. A very difficult title; these volumes were issued over a period of five years, the binding styles vary slightly. CBEL II, 1250.

First edition of this seminal work telling of the Civil War as a struggle for and progress towards liberty. Godwin was ‘the first writer to make a thorough use of the pamphlets and other original documents in the [British] Museum. His thoroughness and accuracy made his book superior to its predecessors’ (DNB). Isaac D’Israeli and Walter Scott aided him in his research (Woodcock).

$1200.00 -