Appian of Alexandria, An auncient historie of the Romanes warres, London, 1578, later red morocco

APPIAN OF ALEXANDRIA

A volume of works printed by Henry Bynneman, 1578, comprising:

i. Appian of Alexandria. An auncient Historie and exquisite Chronicle of the Romanes warres, both Ciuile and Foren (The second part... translated into English by W.B.; A continuation...). London: Henry Bynneman (and Ralph Newberie), 1578, 3 parts (parts 2-3 transposed), two full-page woodcut armorials, woodcut initials, errata leaf at end of "A continuation", lacking errata at end of first part (leaf 3B2), first title repaired at foot with slight loss, small hole in L1

ii. All the famous Battels that have bene fought in our age throughout the worlde, as well by sea as lande [part one only, edited by John Polemon]. London: Henry Bynneman and Francis Coldock, [1578], title within woodcut border, woodcut initials

2 works in one volume, 4to (184 x 132mm.), All the famous Battels bound first, nineteenth-century red morocco gilt by F. & T. Aitken, spine gilt in compartments, edges gilt, cut close at head

The translator of Appian is thought to be William Barker, a Catholic in the service of the Duke of Norfolk, who had travelled widely across Italy. The compilation of accounts of battles (from the Taro in 1495 to Lepanto in 1572) is taken from the works of Giovio, Guicciardini, Bizari and others.

LITERATURE:

ESTC S124501 & S114773; STC 712.5 & 20089

PROVENANCE:

Henry Hucks Gibbs (1819-1907), 1st Baron Aldenham, armorial bookplate of Aldenham House, Herts, and ownership inscription on front free endpaper dated St Dunstans 1882, sale, Sotheby's, 24 March 1937, lot 283, £22, bought by Quaritch