WOTTON, Henry Sir (1568-1639)

[Architecture] Reliquiae Wottonianae. Or, A collection of lives, letters, poems; with characters of sundry personages: and other incomparable pieces of language and art. By the curious pensil of the ever memorable Sr Henry Wotton Kt, late, provost of Eton Colledg

London: Printed by Thomas Maxey, for R. Marriot, G. Bedel, and T. Garthwait, 1651. First Edition. Full Calf. First Edition of this important and highly diverse collection, uniting Wotton’s “The Elements of Architecture,” numerous letters, and Wotton’s two great poems, “On His Mistris, the Queen of Bohemia” and “The Character of a Happy Life.” 12mo (140 x 74mm): [60],540pp, with four copper-engraved portraits (of Wotton, Charles I, the Duke of Buckingham, and the Earl of Essex). Contemporary calf, flat spine with later red morocco lettering piece gilt, plain period end papers, title page framed by printer's ornaments. Sound and attractive period binding with strong book-block and only minor scuffing; clean pages with ample margins; plates in deep, rich impressions. Wing (2nd ed.) W3648. Thomason, E.1254. Heckscher 2199 (noting that this first edition was printed two years before the first edition of Walton's Angler by the same printer). Westwood & Sctchell, p. 243. Bibliotheca Bibliographici 4285. Near Fine. Item #BB0993

Wotton’s “The Elements of Architecture” is one of the great classics that brought to Renaissance England concepts of architecture informed by the works of Vitruvius, Palladio, and Alberti, and including the oft-quoted “Well building hath three conditions: firmness, commodity, and delight." His letters here include those to King James and King Charles I, Lord Bacon, Izaak Walton (including one concerning John Donne), John Milton, and Lord Zouch (with important details of European and English politics of the 1590s). Wotton spent much of his life as ambassador to the Doge of Venice (included here as well is Wotton's account of the election of the new Duke of Venice after the death of Giovanni Bembo) and finished his career as Provost of Eaton College and the great fishing partner of Walton (who contributed the dedication to this posthumously published volume). N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, carefully preserved in archival, removable mylar sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).

Price: $1,865.00