[Rarebooks] FS: THE RUSSIAN IMPOSTOR, 1674
Charles Agvent
charles at charlesagvent.com
Wed May 1 12:47:42 EDT 2019
[MANLEY, Sir Roger]. THE RUSSIAN IMPOSTOR: OR, THE HISTORY OF MUSKOVIE,
Under The Usurpation of Boris and the Imposture of Demetrius, Late
Emperors of Muskovy. London: by J[ames]. C[otrell]. for Thomas Basset,
1674. First Edition. Octavo (4-1/4" x 6-3/4") bound in 3/4 brown morocco
leather and brown boards with a gilt-stamped spine; [1], 250 pages.
Engraving on verso of title page; lacking the 12-page preface. Wing M75.
An appendix was included in the Second Edition published in 1677 though
retaining the 1674 date on the title page. The online ENCYCLOPÆDIA
BRITANNICA gives the background on Manley's subject matter: "False
Dmitry, also called Pseudo-demetrius, Russian Lzhedmitry, or Dmitry
Samozvanets, any of three different pretenders to the Muscovite throne
who, during the Time of Troubles (1598-1613), claimed to be Dmitry
Ivanovich, the son of Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible (reigned 1533-1584) who
had died mysteriously in 1591 while still a child." Leo Loewenson in THE
SLAVONIC AND EAST EUROPEAN REVIEW states, "THE RUSSIAN IMPOSTOR is of
course not a primary historical source in the sense in which such a
classification is applicable to reports by foreign travellers. It is
obviously a secondary work, i.e. the result of research. Not even the
geographical description of Russia, with which the historical narrative
is introduced, contains the slightest reason to assume that Manley had
ever visited the country. Moreover apart from inconclusive remarks like
that about the uncertainty still prevailing in Russia with regard to the
identity of the Impostor there is also nothing to suggest that any
information was derived from hearsay, But the lack of any value as a
primary source does not deprive the work of great historiographical
interest The fact that it is wholly based on research gives it a claim
to being one of the earliest learned histories of Russia written in this
country" (Vol. 31, No. 76 Dec., 1952; page 239). Title page darkened
with some wear at the edges, rest of text just a tad darkened; preface
lacking. Light rubbing to spine tips but binding Near Fine. Overall Very
Good and uncommon. (#019171) $1,000.00
https://www.charlesagvent.com/shop/agvent/019171.html
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