S.P.Q.V. A Survay of the Signorie of Venice, of Her admired policy, and Method of Government, &c. With a Cohortation to all Christian Princes to resent her dangerous Condition at present
London: printed for Richard Lowndes at the VVhite Lion in S. Pauls Churchyard, neer the west end, M. DC. LI. [1651]. Full Calf. Scarce first edition of Howell's appeal (in the guise of a plea to aid Venice) to the Rump parliament. Crown folio (270mm x 180mm): [8],55,[3],57-165,168-184,183-198,175-210,[8]pp, with two engraved full-page plates (an allegory and a portrait of the Doge), both by Robert Vaughan. "Of the princes, and dukes of Venice" has separate divisional title page; paginated erratically, but text continuous and complete. Full contemporary calf, covers paneled in blind, spine rebacked to style in six compartments preserving original end papers, red leather lettering piece gilt, title page printed in red and black with woodcut vignette of lion of St. Mark. Engraved armorial book plate of Sir Edward William Watkin (1819-1901), railway magnate and Member of Parliament, to front paste-down; more recent book plate (Christopher Rowe, collector of antiquarian books and specialist on seventeenth-century printing) to fly-leaf. Many quires toned and embrowned (several markedly so), few early minor marginalia, but an excellent example, tightly bound in contemporary boards. Pforzheimer 517. Wing H3112. Pine-Coffin 618. Lowndes II, 1129. Near Fine+. Item #BB2634
Howell regarded the imprisonment, trial, and execution of Charles I as acts of an arbitrary and tyrannical government, driven by a base mob. This history of Venice, largely extracted from earlier authorities, is dedicated to the Rump regime, partly to obtain its lenient consideration but also "to impress the 'most noble senators' of England, the Rump MPs, by drawing parallels between the two republics. 'England hath reson to affect Venice more than any other, for in point of security ther is much resemblance between them, being both seated in the sea, who is their best protector.' The book casts further light on Howell's belief that a reassertion of aristocratic influence, of the kind that characterized Venetian government, would be necessary in the new Commonwealth if its descent into the chaos of a popular state was to be arrested." (ODNB) N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, with dust jackets. 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: $2,524.00