Raphael Holinshed | Chronicles, London, 1577, 2 volumes, later diced calf, George Steevens copy

Raphael Holinshed

The firste (-laste) volume of the Chronicles of England, Scotlande, and Irelande. London: [Henry Bynneman] for John Harrison, 1577

2 volumes, folio (287 x 184mm.), black letter, titles within woodcut border with woodcut armorials on versos, woodcut initials, woodcut illustrations including double-page view of Edinburgh, without *b*6 (blank leaf at end of prelims for Scotland), errata in vol.2 bound before table, nineteenth-century diced russia gilt, gilt edges, some printed marginalia shaved, a few leaves in vol.2 slightly browned, a few small stains or rustholes, bindings slightly rubbed

A FINE COPY WITH NOTABLE PROVENANCE; the Shakespeare scholar George Steevens (1736-1800) made extensive use of Holinshed in his commentaries upon Shakespeare.

LITERATURE

ESTC S93012; STC 13568.5

PROVENANCE

George Steevens, printed and manuscript name on title-pages recto and verso, sale, Thomas King, London, 13 May 1800, lot 1699, "an exceedingly fine copy, in russia, gilt leaves", £22; Earl of Carysfort, Elton Hall bookplate dated 1894 & 1896, no.3917