An Account Of the Present War

£2,500 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

first edition Roger Palmer, earl of Castlemaine (1634-1705) was tasked by Charles II to keep him informed of 'all I found New abroad' (Dedication) whilst undertaking a tour of Europe. Castelmaine duly reported to the king on the war in Crete between the Venetians and the Turks which was then entering its final phase, and upon his return to London received permission for the present book based upon that letter. Written in a epistolary format, it became a primary work on the conflict and was readily translated into Dutch and German. First edition; 8vo (14 x 9 cm); engraved frontispiece portrait (lower inner corner torn just into engraved border), 2 double-page engraved maps by Hollar (cut close), imprimatur for Roger L'Estrange (press censor), old signatures to verso of frontispiece and title, bookplate to rear pastedown, pencil annotations to margins; contemporary sheep, small defects to spine at head and foot; [20], 93, [1]pp. Blackmer 1239; ESTC R7289; Wing C1239.

• Binding: Hardcover

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