"ONE OF THE FINEST SPECIMENS OF JACOBEAN BOOK-PRODUCTION": THE COLLECTED WORKS OF JAMES I, 1616 FIRST EDITION IN CONTEMPORARY CALF-GILT
JAMES I. The Workes of the Most High and Mightie Prince, James… Published by James, Bishop of Winton… London: Robert Barker and John Bill, 1616. Folio (9 by 13 inches), contemporary full dark brown mottled calf, elaborately gilt-decorated spine, raised bands, later morocco spine label.
First edition of the collected works of James I, judged to be "one of the finest specimens of Jacobean book-production," with splendid copper-engraved frontispiece portrait by Simon Pass of James enthroned in the robes of state and elaborately engraved additional title-page by Elstrack. A handsome copy in contemporary calf-gilt.
James VI (1566-1625), King of Scotland and son of Mary Queen of Scots, became King James I of England in 1603 after the death of Elizabeth I. "His collected works were published by Bishop Montague in 1616, with the addition of earlier speeches and state papers" (DNB). The Bishop's long panegyrical preface is his only original published work. "This volume is of great interest to the students of the development of the idea of the divine right of kings and other Stuart constitutional problems… Typographically this is one of the finest specimens of Jacobean book-production" (Pforzheimer). Among the works included in this collection are "Paraphrase upon the Revelation," "Daemonology," "Basilicon Doron," "Counterblast to Tobacco," "Law of Free Monarchies," "Powder Treason," and "Defence of the Rights of Kings." Leaf e3 a cancel, as usual, and with the small printed overslips on pages 11 and 12. With full-page woodcut of the royal arms, small engraved portrait of Prince Charles by Pass at the head of the dedication, and woodcut initials, head- and tailpieces throughout. STC 14344. Pforzheimer 531. Armorial bookplate of the Right Hon. Anthony, Earle of Kent (dated 1702); armorial bookplate of Thomas Philip, Earl de Grey, West Park; morocco booklabels of C.A. and V. Baldwin and of Charles Caldwell Ryrie. Politician Thomas Philip, the second Earl De Grey (1781-1859), served as lord lieutenant of Ireland from 1841-44; he was also the first president of the Institution of British Architects, a fellow of the Royal Society and of the Society of Antiquaries. Dr. Charles Ryrie was renowned for his collection of English Bibles.
Engraved title page trimmed a little close at foot, just touching image but not engraver's name; interior generally quite clean. Expert restoration to contemporary calf. An extremely good copy.