Beschreibung:

RALEIGH, Sir Walter (ca 1552-1618)]. A Declaration of the Demeanor and Cariage of Sir Walter Raleigh, Knight, as well in his Voyage, as in, and sithence his Returne. And of the true motives and inducements which occasioned His Majestie to Proceed in doing justice upon him, as hath bene done . London: Printed by Bonham Norton and John Bill 1618. 4 o (174 x 122 mm). Collation: A 2 A-H 4. (Few small repairs on A1, closely trimmed cropping some page numbers, some occasional pale spotting or staining.) Late 19-/early 20th-century brown morocco, gilt-lettered on spine, edges gilt (front cover detached). Provenance : Jerome Kern (bookplate; sold Anderson Galleries, 2 November 1927, lot 61); Samuel Wyllis Bandler (typed letter from Philip Ropp to the bookseller Charles S. Boesen requesting information about this copy). FIRST EDITION. The book has been subject to some bibliographical confusion. STC and Pforzheimer placed this edition after another 1618 edition which collates A 2 A-H 4 I 2. Rhilip Ropp's enclosed letter from 1947 corrects this placement. STC since revised its priority of the editions, based on the article published in The Library , III (1948), pp.124-134. The reason for the confusion of the editions may be explained by the Government's haste to get this official apologia published. Raleigh's execution aroused considerable popular reaction. The present work was intended to justify their action. Bacon has been regarded as the sole author, "but though he was, by reason of his membership in the Council, certainly one of the authors he was not the sole sponsor. In fact, according to a letter of Bacon's, quoted by Sabin, it contains 'additions, which were very material,' penned by James himself" (Pforzheimer 819). STC 20652.5.