[Rarebooks] FS: First Edition of the most revered personal history ever written in English

[Charles Agvent]

PEPYS, Samuel. MEMOIRS OF SAMUEL PEPYS, ESQ. F.R.S. SECRETARY TO THE 
ADMIRALTY IN THE REIGNS OF CHARLES II. AND JAMES II. COMPRISING HIS 
DIARY FROM 1659 TO 1669, DECIPHERED BY THE REV. JOHN SMITH, A.B. OF ST. 
JOHN'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, FROM THE ORIGINAL SHORT-HAND MS. IN THE 
PEPYSIAN LIBRARY, AND A SELECTION FROM HIS PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE. 
London: Henry Colburn, 1825. First Edition. Edited by Richard, Lord 
Braybrooke. Two large quarto (9" x 11-3/4") volumes bound in early diced 
Russia calf, neatly rebacked in matching period calf with dual 
contrasting morocco spine labels, compartments ruled and ornamented in 
heavy gilt, boards ruled in gilt, all edges gilt, turn-ins decorated in 
blind, silk ribbon markers, page edges marbled; [2] xlii, 498, [2], 
xlix; [4] 348 [2] viii, [3] 311 pages. Illustrated with 13 engraved 
plates including one double-page. The most revered personal history ever 
written in English, Pepys's Diaries cover only nine years, 1660 to 1669, 
but very interesting years in England. Plague, fire, and war are some of 
the events Pepys lived through and recorded. Richard Garnett says no 
work of the kind in the world's literature can for a moment be compared 
with The Diary, which he calls "the most valuable document extant for 
the understanding of the times." For Andrew Lang, Pepys is "perpetually 
the most amusing of gossips, and, of all who have gossiped about 
themselves, the only one who tells the truth." The Diary was written in 
a private cipher and remained unreadable for more than a hundred and 
fifty years. Bookplate and library label of John Waldie on the front 
pastedown of each volume. Offsetting from plates to text; a few pages at 
end of each volume with foxing. A very clean set, attractively bound. 
Near Fine in a Near Fine custom cloth slipcase.

John Waldie was a noted 19th century London writer and art critic. His 
theatre journals, covering 1798 to 1830 and comprising some 98 volumes, 
have been published. (#015715)        $2,500.00

http://home.ptd.net/~chagvent/015715.JPG

http://home.ptd.net/~chagvent/015715c.JPG

http://home.ptd.net/~chagvent/015715d.JPG

http://home.ptd.net/~chagvent/015715e.JPG

http://home.ptd.net/~chagvent/015715f.JPG

http://home.ptd.net/~chagvent/015715g.JPG

http://home.ptd.net/~chagvent/015715h.JPG

http://home.ptd.net/~chagvent/015715i.JPG

http://home.ptd.net/~chagvent/015715j.JPG

http://home.ptd.net/~chagvent/015715k.JPG

-- 
All books subject to prior sale. Cash with order; institutions may be 
billed. Postage additional: $15.00. Overseas postage billed at 
approximate cost. Pennsylvania residents must add 6% sales tax. 
Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and Discover accepted. Books may be 
returned within 10 days of receipt for any reason provided they are in 
the same condition as sent and prior notice is given. Please insure 
returns for their full value. We carry a diverse stock with major 
specialties including Modern and 19th Century Literary First Editions, 
Signed Books, Presidential Autographs, Illustrated Books, and the 
world's largest inventory of Limited Editions Club books. *We have been 
in business since 1987 and are proud to be members of the Antiquarian 
Booksellers Association of America (ABAA) and the International League 
of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB).* Please feel free to contact us with 
any wants or offerings. Thank you.

CHARLES AGVENT

291 Linden Road

Mertztown, PA 19539-8750

610-682-4750

info at charlesagvent.com

Please visit our shop: http://www.charlesagvent.com