[SOLD]

This item has sold. We are always interested in acquiring another copy or any item of comparable quality.

Inquire

[Cabala]. Cabala, sive Scrinia Sacra, Mysteries of State and Government: in Letters of Illustrious Persons and Great Ministers of State as well Forreign as Domestick, in the Reigns of King Henry the Eighth, Q. Elizabeth, K. James, and K. Charles. [...] Now collected and printed together in one volumn.

London, G. Bedell & T. Collins, 1663.

Folio (209 x 313 mm). (16), 416 (but: 428), (10) pp. Title page printed in red and black. Late 18th century full calf, spine gilt and stamped, gilt cover borders, leading edges gilt. Marbled endpapers and matching edges.

Second edition of this highly interesting collection of letters by eminent personages, including Francis Bacon, Kenelm Digby, John Donne, Walter Raleigh and the monarchs enumerated in the title. "Quelques passages sont imprim. en chiffres dont la clef n'est pas donnée" (Rosenthal). First published in 1654.

Very slightly browned; slight dampstains in the lower gutter, 19th century handwritten ownership "M. Cowper" to title. The appealing binding has been professionally repaired at the hinges and reinforced from the inside. Front pastedown has engraved armorial bookplate of William (Clavering-)Cowper, after 1723 the 2nd Earl Cowper (1709-64), with his motto "Tuum est" (Franks 7108f.). Later in the Kenelm Digby collection of the physician K. Garth Huston (1926-87).

References

Wing C 185. Rosenthal 6033. Rubin p. 9, no. 14 (this copy, described as a "very good copy"). OCLC 1394897. Cf. Lowndes 343 ("1651" in error). Not in Caillet or Dorbon.