[Rarebooks] fa: [MAGNA CARTA] SAMUEL JOHNSON - HISTORY AND DEFENCE OF THE MAGNA CHARTA - 1769

[ArCh]

Listed now, auction ending Sunday, November 3. Images and more details can be found at the URL below or by searching for the seller name arch_in_la. 

http://tinyurl.com/yyx233jp

Thanks again,
Ardwight Chamberlain
Ann Arbor, MI, USA


[Samuel Johnson:] A History and Defence of Magna Charta. Containing a Copy of the Original Charter at large, with an English Translation; The Manner of its being obtained from King John, with its Preservation and Final Establishment in the Succeeding Reigns; with an Introductory Discourse, Containing a short Account of the Rise and Progress of National Freedom, from the Invasion of Caesar to the present Times. Also the Liberties which are confirmed by the Bill of Rights, &c. To which is added, An Essay on Parliaments, Describing their Origin In England, And the extraordinary Means by which they have been lengthened from half Yearly to Septennial ones. London: Printed for J. Bell, (successor to Mr. Bathoe) at his Circulating-Library, near Exeter-Exchange, in the Strand; S. Bladon, Pater-Noster-Row; and C. Etherington, at York, MDCCLXIX [1769]. FIRST EDITION; 8vo (20.5 cm) in early/period full calf; [2], lxii [i.e.lii], 284pp. ESTC T130225.

First edition of a previously unpublished manuscript by the other Samuel Johnson (1649-1703), a political divine, controversialist, and implacable foe of popery in general and James II in particular. With a copy of the original charter in French, and an English translation. Binding rubbed, corners worn with loss, front joint professionally repaired; contents with browning to the edges, scattered spots and touches of soiling, rear endpaper and one text leaf partly loose with wear to their edges; else sound.