The History Of The Troubles And Tryal

London: Rick Chiswell, 1695. 1st Edition . Full-Leather. Poor/No Jacket. Elephant Folio - over 15" - 23" tall. Balance of title and summary of title page, "Of the Most Reverend Father in God, and Blessed Martyr, William Laud, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury. Wrote by Himself during his imprisonment in the Tower." Followed by long paragraph re "His Diary, History, Liturgy, Annual Accounts, etc." "Imprimatur Martij 7. 1693/4 Jo. Cant." "London. Printed for Ri. Chiswell at the Rose and Crown in St. Paul's Church-yard. MDC XCV. Book measures 16" X 10". Wing listing #L586. Collation is in 4 leaf 8 page units (ie Kk-Kk2- nocode-nocode-Ll-Ll2-nocode-nocode) which as I understand it (poorly) is folio in eights, Wing says Folio. . .It seems the collation varies. No material appears prior to title page, frontis. should be present and is not. Title page is printed in Black and Red, verso blank, followed by a 5 leaf, 10 page preface, final verso blank. . . 4 page TOC follows, after which a 2nd title page, for the diary appears, verso blank, followed by page 1 with pagination thru 616, followed by a 2 page advertisement for Chiswells product. I strive to use grading consistent with that which we use for modern work, book value and age notwithstanding. In this case the lack of the frontis page and the complete detachment of the boards have dictated the grade. This said, excepting for a binding anomaly (which I will detail) the text is legible and age taken into account, decent. The binding anomaly mentioned is a change in paper evident 1/3rd of the way thru the text, the early section being a full shade lighter and less foxed, the latter material being notably more age darkened. Text edges have light, ancient red speckling, top darker. Boards have much corner rounding, abrasion thru leather. Scars and age appropriate cracking and scratching are present. Suspect attempts at restoration occurred long ago, involving laying the first fly leaves over the pastedown and fixing them. There are no free front endsheets in place. Text commences with Red/Black title page, finishes with one blank end sheet (supect this is two fixed together) with this sheet fixed in place to back board with binding tape All this said, the text with its badly smudged and foxed terminal sheets has minimal chip, some fairly minor issues, waviness, spot, reads well and will henceforth be stored in, air tight as possible, acid free, glassine bag.