Titles of Honor

London: William Stansby; Iohn Helme , 1614. First edition. Leather. Near Fine. 7.5" by 5.5". None. A first edition copy of this notable 17th-century work by John Selden, bound in full calf by Bayntun. The scarce first edition. Rebound in full calf with gilt detail, by Bayntun. With beautiful marbled paste-downs. An interesting work regarding the study of peerage law, genealogy and nobility around the world. With sections on royal titles, knights, barons, turkish dignities and more. This work was highly influential and remained a much studied work for centuries. The greatly revised edition of 1631 earned Selden the title of, 'Monarch of Letters'. With a poem by Ben Jonson to the front of the book. John Selden was an English jurist and scholar of the ancient laws of England and Judaism. The famous poet, John Milton, referred to Selden as, 'the chief of learned men reputed in this land'. Lacking the contents tables at the rear of the book. Rebound with new blanks and endpapers. The pagination of this book is as follows: a1-a3, b-d4, A-Eee4, Fff-Fff3 Rebound in full calf. Externally, excellent with light rubbing to the extremities. Light marks to the boards. Internally, firmly bound. Pages generally bright and clean with the odd spot and handling mark throughout. Light age-toning throughout. Near Fine