Leycesters common-wealth : conceived, spoken and pvblished with most earnest protestation of all dutifull good will and affection towards this realm : for whose good onely it is made common to many
1641, 1st edition in this form. [S.l. : s.n.] 1641. Provenance; bookplate of Kennet of the Dene. Referenced by: Wing L968. Finely bound in near-contemporary full aniline calf. Gilt borders with inner gilt dentelles. Raised bands and spine compartments uniformly tooled; very impressively finished. Hinges starting. Corners sharp with an overall tight, bright and clean impression. Item #307056
First published in 1584, with title: The copie of a letter, vvryten by a master of arte at Cambridge, to his friend in London and was populary known as "Father Parson's green-coat."
Does not fully correspond with the first issue described in the Grolier club Catalogue of English writers, or with the two issues described in Burgoyne's edition of 1904 (p. xiv-xv). "Leicester's commonwealth" was republished in 1641 and was versified as "Leicester's ghost" about the same time.
Imperfect: contemporary frontispiece portrait of Dudley (not called for?) tipped in. Later manuscript notes on imprint history also tipped in. Includes "Leicester's ghost", p. 1-33 at end, without special t.p.
The attribution to Parsons is erroneous. "Leicester's ghost", now ascribed to Thomas Rogers by Wing (2d ed) and Brit. Lib., has also been erroneously attributed to William Cecil, Lord Burghley.
Price: €425.00