Beschreibung:

Important sammelband of three Quaker tracts by Penn.
London: 1668-1672. 8vo (170 x 132 mm). Early speckled calf, central panels tooled in blind. Condition: some browning, top margin of the first two titles trimmed close, restoration along the fore-edge of the front free endpaper, repaired tear to the third title page; restoration to the front joint and inner hinge. Provenance : Sir John Rodes (signatures on the first title and front free endpaper, the latter crossed out); Samuel Barker (1690 signature on verso of the terminal leaf of the second title); David Marshall (1787 signature on the front free endpaper); Edwin Marshall (1887 signature on the front free endpaper); Samuel Rhoads (1908 signature on the front free endpaper, autograph note signed discussing this sammelband and his original invoice mounted to the front endpaper and pastedown). Comprising (in order of appearance): 1) The Sandy Foundation Shaken . London: [John Darby], 1668. 36 pp. 2) No Cross, no Crown . [London: Andrew Sowle], 1669. [1], [4], 111 pp. 3) The Spirit of Truth Vindicated, Against That of Error & Envy . [London: Andrew Sowle], 1672. 138 pp. an important early penn sammelband of first editions with superb provenance to among his closest associates. Distinguished Quaker Sir John Rodes, a close associate of Penn, is best remembered for receiving the original manuscript of Fruits of a Father’s Love from Penn and having it published after his death. It seems likely that Rodes assembled this sammelband in the late 17th or early 18th century. Samuel Rhoads, the early 20th century owner of the sammelband (and a descendant?) writes on a note tipped to the front free endpaper: “…These 3 tracts are first editions and rare … Sir John Rodes the first ‘Quaker baronet’ & Friend of Penn, no doubt had these bound, a binding of exquisite Quakerly taste and lasting value…” The first tract present here is among Penn’s earliest and most controversial works. “WP was a young man of 24, an enthusiastic member of a radical, despised religious movement, and possibly too full of his own importance and learning when he wrote The Sandy Foundation Shaken, which appeared to be a frontal attack upon revered Christian beliefs” (Bronner & Fraser). Shortly after its publication both Penn and his printer were jailed in the Tower of London. The second work is was written by Penn while imprisoned. Present here in its first edition (and often confused with a 1682 work with the same beginning title), it has been cited as one of the best examples of his Puritan rigour. The final tract in this sammelband is a reply to Henry Hedworth’s anonymous attack upon George Fox who at the time was in America and could not defend himself: “WP’s first ‘basically systematic theological book’” (Bronner & Fraser). Bronner & Fraser 4a, 6 and 15; Wing P1356, 1327 and 1375.