“NEW EVENTS INTRODUCED, NEW SECRETS UNRAVELED”: ELLIS’ LETTERS ILLUSTRATIVE OF ENGLISH HISTORY, SECOND SERIES, 1827
ELLIS, Henry, editor. Original Letters Illustrative of English History. Second Series. London: Harding and Lepard, 1827. Four volumes. Octavo, late 19th-century full polished tan calf, elaborately gilt-decorated spines, raised bands, red and black morocco spine labels.
First edition of Ellis’ second series of this “invaluable collection,” with engraved frontispiece in each volume (two folding).
Having begun his career as a librarian at the Bodleian, Sir Henry Ellis was appointed Principal Librarian of the British Museum in 1827, the same year this, his second series of letters important in British history, was published. “In this Series,” he promises in his preface, “new events are introduced; and new secrets of State unraveled.” “Three series of this invaluable collection appeared, in 1824, 1827 and 1846 respectively… None of his publications is so well known, and it is as important to the historical student as delightful to the general reader” (DNB). The letters in this series document English history from King Henry IV to Edmund Burke. The frontispieces are: a folding facsimile of Henry VIII’s coronation oath (Volume I), a folding view of Calais under English control (Volume II), an engraved portrait of Elizabeth I (Volume III) and a facsimile of Charles I’s shorthand cipher (Volume IV).
Occasional faint foxing, minimal scuffing to boards, light toning to spines, expert joint repairs to Volume I. A handsome set in near-fine condition.