The English Historical Library. In Three Parts. Giving A Short View and Character of most of our Historians either in Print or Manuscript: With an Account of our Records, Law-Books, Coins, and other Matters Serviceable to the Undertakers of a General History of England
London: Timothy Childe; Robert Knaplock, 1714. Second edition completely revised and greatly expanded. Hardcover. Folio (14 1/2 x 9 1/2"). xviii, 272pp. Modern full morocco retaining parts of the original gilt-stamped covers, with gold lettering and tooling to spine. Marbled endpapers.
Originally published in three parts between 1696 and 1699, this 1714 edition of William Nicolson's "English Historical Library" has been corrected and augmented.
Divided into three parts, Book I deals with topographical and geographical matters; Book II with ecclesiastical history, and the third contains a description of the contents and locations of public records.
The general goal of this work was the search for true, impartial and disinterested history. Nicolson insisted on the need for 'a general Examen, a sort of an Universal Index Expurgatorius, that points at the mistakes and errors of every page of our several historians.' The intention of the work was to identify and separate the 'good sterling history' from the chaff of 'romance or Buffoonry' (from the author's preface).
Minor water-staining at lower fore-edge of the first 60 pages (never affecting lettering). Binding in very good, interior in good+ to very good condition. g+ to vg. Item #42839
Price: $300.00