The First [Laste] Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland, by Raphaell Holinshed, Imprinted for George Bishop and John Hunne 1577

First edition set, complete in four parts across two volumes. Early marbled paper covered boards, re-backed with later calf spines. Gilt titles and raised bands to the spine. An attractive set, minor rubbing to the boards but bindings nice and tight, presents well. All edges red. Hinges to the front board of Vol 2 a little cracked.  Previous owners book plates to the front pastedowns, including the Bibliotheca Lindesiana. Interesting previous owners note to the ffep, referencing the King’s printer, for whom Holinshed was working for when he started compiling the chronicles. ‘Reynold Wolf Esq. who was the King’s Printer, was a great collector of Antiquities of furnished Ralph Holinshed, who was one of his executors with the bulk of his materials for his Chronicle’ Granger B. Dick. Occasional professional paper restoration to page margins, generally not affecting the text, and facsimile title page to volume two, otherwise contents in truly excellent clean condition. A couple of small worming holes to dedication page of Vol 1, a couple of small, neat annotations, and very slight damp staining to a few pages only points of note. Woodcut borders to title, and over 1000 woodcut initials and vignettes throughout. Complete with double page Plan of Edinburgh, often found lacking. A little restoration to margins but very good otherwise. Last couple of pages of The Table of Ireland worn with minor textual loss, and first few pages of Vol 2 from the Preface. George Bishop imprint to the title of Vol 1, others John Hunne. Collated and complete against ESTC pagination. The first authoritative vernacular and continuous account on the whole English history. A scarce important work, remarkably well preserved. 

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