1648 Eikon Basilike, Fine Binding, Signed Riviere & Sons

Description: Eikon Basilike. The Pourtraicture of His Sacred Maiestie in His Solitudes and Sufferings. 1648. First Edition, Third Issue (with pagination of signature "G" corrected), frontispiece lacking, fine & contemporary signed binding by Riviere & Sons: 20th century black crushed Morocco, gilt-lettered spine. 269 pp, 6.5 x 4", 12mo. In fair condition. Fine leather binding lightly scuffed at edges & worn/bumped at corners. Head and tail of spine (including hinges) are rubbed, but intact. Gilt lettering, bordering, and deco present very well - clean and bright. All edges gilt. Front gutter beginning to split, some cording exposed. Signed binding found on front paste-down, bottom edge. Off-setting to front and rear end-pages from black moroccan leather bordering on paste-downs. Fresh-end papers clean. Original title page shows some finger-soiling and general toning, but is otherwise clean and intact. Tea-staining to bottom edge of leaves A2/3 - text unimpeded. No known previous ownership or marginalia. General toning throughout text-block, with instances of age-staining and finger-soiling. Modern binding tight and intact. Please see photos and ask questions, if any, before purchasing. The Eikon Basilike ("Royal Portrait" in English), The Pourtraicture of his Sacred Majesty in His Solitudes and Sufferings, is a purported spiritual autobiography attributed to King Charles I of England. Written in a simple, moving and straightforward style in the form of a diary, the book combines irenic prayers, urging the forgiveness of Charles's executioners with a justification of royalism and the King's political and military program that led to the Civil War. It is by no means certain that Charles wrote the book. After the Restoration, John Gauden, bishop of Worcester, claimed to have written it. Scholars continue to disagree about the merits of this claim. Jeremy Taylor is also said to have had a hand in its revision, and to be the source of its title; an earlier draft bore the name Suspiria Regalia, "the Royal Sighs." Some later editions of the Eikon Basilike contained a sworn statement by William Levett, Esq., that Levett had witnessed Charles writing the text during the time that Levett accompanied his imprisonment on the Isle of Wight. A witness to the King's execution, Levett later helped transport the King's body back to Windsor Castle for burial. Whoever wrote it, its author was an effective prose stylist, one who had partaken deeply of the solemn yet simple eloquence of Anglican piety. The end result is an image of a steadfast monarch who, while admitting his weaknesses, declares the truth of his religious principles & the purity of his political moves, while trusting in God despite adversity. Riviere & Sons began in 1829 with Robert Riviere setting up in business in Bath as a bookseller and later as a bookbinder. In 1840, he moved to London where the firm traded at a series of addresses. His grandson Percival Calkin became a partner in 1881, and the firm's name was changed to Robert Riviere & Sons. Percival's younger brother, Arthur, became a partner in 1889 & Arthur's son Stuart Riviere Calkin entered the business in 1908 and was with the firm when it closed in 1939. Fine binding, presents well. Gift quality. RAREB1648EQRX02/24 - HK1221

Price: 800 USD

Location: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

End Time: 2024-11-19T15:39:00.000Z

Shipping Cost: 6.13 USD