[Rarebooks] FS - Camden's Britannia, with maps

[GREENFIELD BOOKS]

*CAMDEN, William / And Translated into English, with Additions and 
Improvements, by Edmund Gibson./ BRITANNIA: Or A Chorographical 
Description of Great Britain and Ireland, Together with the Adjacent 
Islands/*. Two large folios, in original full leather bindings. Printed 
for James and John Knapton et al, London. ND (1722).

William Camden (1551-1623) was an English antiquary and historian who, 
during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, traveled throughout England 
collecting material for "Britannia", which was first published in 1586. 
Initially written in Latin, it is a survey of the British islands; its 
archeology, geography, institutions, monetary system and inhabitants, 
"chiefly intended for the instruction of foreigners" (or so Gibson 
states in his Preface to this edition). It was first translated into 
English in 1610, probably under Camden's direction (see Ency. Brit. 
11th, vol. V, p. 101). Gibson's revision was first published in 1695. 
Our set is the undated "Second Edition" but, by comparing particulars 
with available bibliographical resources and Gibson's remarks in his 
Preface, we believe it was published in 1722. Title pages are printed in 
red and black, with an elegant full-page copper engraving of Camden as 
the frontispiece of the first volume. There are 48 double-page maps of 
the English counties, Ireland, Scotland, and "the Islands"; six of the 
maps are folding. There are also twelve large full-page engravings, and 
numerous smaller engravings in the text. There is a comprehensive index 
and the errata page is present. A previous owner has reinforced the 
hinges with linen-like binding tape. There are two bookplates. The 
boards are quite worn and rubbed, but a competent bookbinder could 
restore both bindings. The contents are remarkable clean, with only 
occasional foxing, and a few stained pages. The maps, by the 
cartographer Robert Morden, and which are usually removed and sold 
individually, are all in excellent condition. Overall, a good set. 
/Printing and the Mind of Man/, 101.
 
Price: $5,000.00.

Terms of sale - the price is in USD. Payment by check, credit card, or 
as arranged. Institutions accommodated. Packing, postage and insurance 
charges to be arranged to suit purchaser's needs (these are two heavy 
books!). Returnable, with prior notice, within seven days of receipt if 
not as described.

 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greenfield Books Ltd.				
Rare books sought, bought and sold		
Member: ABAC/ILAB				
217 Academy Road,				
Winnipeg, MB R3M 0E3 Canada			
Toll-free: 866-263-BOOK (2665)			
Telephone: 204-488-2023
Web site: http://www.greenfieldbooks.com