25th Jan, 2023 10:30 GMT/BST
The David Stather Library
34
Charles I Association
Griffith (Matthew), Bethel: or, A Forme for Families: In which all sorts, of both Sexes, are so squared, and framed by the Word of God ....
Printed by Richard Badger for Robert Allot, 1633, small quarto in eights, [24], 528 pages, additional engraved title page (Allot & Taunton, dated 1634 - see ESTC) which is laid down and has tear and chip to lower edge just entering image, repairs to lower edge of title and A3 (affecting recto border), some staining, marginal tear to E8, small hole in 2D4 affecting page numbers, inscription to verso of repaired blank before title reads 'King Charles the first's copy of this rare and curious work and with the Royal Arms impressed on the sides. From Dr. Barton's Collection' with recto inscribed by Barton, this blank is not the original A1 which may have been covered by the engraved title. All edges gilt, re-backed contemporary calf binding with gilt Royal Armorials to upper and lower boards. S103458
[Despite the inscription, the armorials appear identical to the Charles II stamp 22a in the British Armorial Bindings database at the University of Toronto]
Sold for £850
Estimated at £400 - £600
Auction: The David Stather Library, 25th Jan, 2023
A single-owner sale of the Library of David Stather (1940-2022)
The library comprises a large collection of early books, pamphlets and manuscripts on English history, focusing on the English Civil War, the ‘Popish Plot’, the Monmouth Rebellion and the Glorious Revolution, early Parliament and the Monarchy of that period, the development of English law, the Reformation, early bibles and prayer books, chronicles of English history and some very early books on witchcraft.
The earliest manuscript dates from 1285, and the earliest book is an incunable from 1486, however the majority date from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Interestingly, many are books that contribute to English history rather than just reporting on it, for example the collection includes books reporting the Popish Plot, which were written specifically to create social division through what is now known as ‘fake news’.
The books have been lovingly preserved by David Stather and the auction provides a rare opportunity to purchase books from a very focused collection built up over his lifetime.
Please submit any enquiries for the sale to books@tennants-ltd.co.uk
Viewing
Tuesday 24th January 10am-5pm and the morning of the sale from 8am
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