[Rarebooks] FS - Baillie's Letters and Journals (Thomas Erskine's copy)

[GREENFIELD BOOKS]

*[Robert Baillie] Carefully transcribed by Robert Aiken. /LETTERS AND 
JOURNALS, Written by the deceased Mr. Robert Baillie, Principal of the 
University of Glasgow./* /*With An Account of the Author's Life, 
prefixed; and A Glossary, annexed.*/ Complete two volume set bound in 
contempory full leather. Printed for W. Gray, Edinburgh; and J. Buckland 
and G. Keith, London. 1775. 1st edition, pp. viii, 456; 462; with errata 
pages. "Containing an impartial account of public transactions, Civil, 
Ecclesiastic, and Military, both in England and Scotland, from 1637 to 
1662; a period, perhaps, the most remarkable that is to be met with in 
the British History."

Robert Baillie (1599-1662) was a Presbyterian divine and principal of 
Glasgow University. He was one of the accusers of Archibshop Laud and 
sided with the Royalists during the English Civil War. A note, laid-in 
loose, in this set says that "Baillie, a descendant of Wm Wallace, was a 
repressive Presbyterian minister, who was appointed Prof. of Divinity at 
University of Glasgow." WorldCat locates only six copies of this title 
in institutional librairies worldwide. Armorial bookplate of Thomas 
Erskine of Linlathen to inside front board of each volume, with his 
motto "non insidiis" printed thereon. Erskine (1750-1823) was Lord 
Chancellor of England, and a major figure in early 19th century English 
civil and legal history. His influence on the development of English 
commercial law cannot be overstated and his famous speech in a libel 
case contributed to the passing of Fox's Libel Act in 1792. He published 
the influential "Causes and Consequences of the War with France" in 1797.

Our set is worn in the contemporary binding. Front joint of volume II 
weak, but intact. Very old worming to first ten leaves of volume I. Text 
somewhat age-toned, but perfectly legible, and otherwise clean and 
unmarked. Overall, still a good presentation of a scarce title with a 
most interesting provenance.

Price: $500.00.

Terms of sale - the price is in USD. Payment by check, credit card, 
PayPal. Postage and packing charge is $15 worldwide. Returnable within 
seven days of receipt if not as described.

 
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