LIFE AND REIGN OF QUEEN ELIZABETH, 1738 FIRST EDITION, WITH ENGRAVED FRONTISPIECE PORTRAIT AND FULL-PAGE PLATE DEPICTING THE DEFEAT OF THE SPANISH ARMADA

(ELIZABETH) (MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS). Life and Reign of that Excellent Princess Queen Elizabeth… Also, the Trial, Sufferings, and Death of Mary Queen of Scots. London: Printed, and sold by the Booksellers in Town and Country, 1738. Small quarto, contemporary full dark brown calf rebacked and recornered. $3200.

First edition of this biography of Queen Elizabeth, with engraved frontispiece portrait and full-page engraving of the defeat of the Spanish Armada.

This anonymous popular biography of Elizabeth also discusses her father, Henry VIII, and her mother, Anne Boleyn, as well as her half-sister, Mary Queen of Scots. The narrative describes the various "plots and rebellions" raised against the Queen, as well as her great favorite, the Earl of Essex. ESTC N70451.

Frontispiece portrait rehinged, with expert papaer repar to edges not affecting printing. Some light foxing to text, contemporary calf expertly restored. A very good copy.