"A MOST EXQUISITE HISTORY": CAMDEN'S MAJOR HISTORY OF ELIZABETH I, 1675, WITH ENGRAVED FRONTISPIECE PORTRAIT

(ELIZABETH I) CAMDEN, William. The History of the Most Renowned and Victorious Princess Elizabeth, Late Queen of England; Containing All the most Important and Remarkable Passages of State both at Home and Abroad (so far as they were linked with English Affairs) during her Long and Prosperous Reign. London: Printed by E. Flesher for Charles Harper and John Amery, 1675. Small folio (8 by 12 inches), contemporary full calf gilt rebacked with original spine and spine label neatly laid down, raised bands; pp. (18), 661, (40). $6000.

Third edition in English, revised, of Camden's seminal history of Elizabeth I, "among the best historical productions which have yet been composed by an Englishman" (Hume). With splendid engraved frontispiece portrait of Queen Elizabeth by Robert White.

This "most exquisite history" by the greatest Renaissance historian of England (Lowndes, 358), granted William Camden full "claim to be considered as the founder, not merely of antiquarian studies, but also of the study of modern history" (PMM 101). Camden's "friend and patron, Lord Burleigh, had in 1597, a year before his death, urged Camden to compile a history of the reign of Elizabeth. His lordship had carefully noted the events and actors of the time, and his information and literary records were of invaluable assistance to the historian" (DNB). In his History of England, Hume notes that this work "is written with simplicity of expression, very rare in that age, and with a regard to truth. It would not, perhaps, be too much to affirm that it is among the best historical productions which have yet been composed by any Englishman." "With William Camden the chronicle reached its zenith" (Kunitz & Haycraft, 82). Originally published in Latin as Annales Rerum Anglicarum, et Hibernicarum Regnante Elizabetha in two parts (part I in London, 1615 and part II in Leiden in 1625 and in London, 1627). Camden requested that part II be published posthumously. The first English translation of part I appeared in 1625 and of part II in 1629. With engraved initials and headpieces; occasional mispagination as issued without loss of text. Wing C362. See also STC 4497-98, 4500-1. Early owner signature on front pastedown and another on title page inked over. Engraved armorial bookplate to verso of title page, with motto inked over.

A fine, beautiful copy.