Beschreibung:

SHCHERBATOV, Mikhail Mikhailovich (1733-1790). Istoriia Rossiiskaia . Volumes 1-5, part 1. St. Petersburg: Imperial Academy of Sciences, 1770-1786. 7 parts in 5 vols, 4° (250 x 190mm). 41 folding tables, mostly genealogical. Contemporary Russian red morocco, sides with gilt foliate frame, spines gilt in compartments (the last volume with slightly different tools), gilt edges (extremities lightly rubbed, light wear). Provenance : Frederick North, second earl of Guilford (1732-1792; British prime minister).
SHCHERBATOV, Mikhail Mikhailovich (1733-1790). Istoriia Rossiiskaia . Volumes 1-5, part 1. St. Petersburg: Imperial Academy of Sciences, 1770-1786. 7 parts in 5 vols, 4° (250 x 190mm). 41 folding tables, mostly genealogical. Contemporary Russian red morocco, sides with gilt foliate frame, spines gilt in compartments (the last volume with slightly different tools), gilt edges (extremities lightly rubbed, light wear). Provenance : Frederick North, second earl of Guilford (1732-1792; British prime minister). FIRST EDITION. LORD NORTH'S COPY IN CONTEMPORARY RUSSIAN RED MOROCCO of 'the first detailed pragmatic account of Russian history' (Vernardsky). Whereas Tatishchev's history was based solely on the Russian chronicles, Shcherbatov's also made extensive use of the archive of the College of Foreign Affairs. Lord North, George III's prime minister from 1770-1782, had favoured a policy of rapprochement with Russia throughout his premiership and after. In 1791 he opposed Pitt's proposed support of Turkey, and the following year, in his last public political address, Lord North declared that 'it was the interest of this country, to keep up a good understanding with Russia' (Cobbett, Parl. hist. , 29.855-60, quoted in DNB ). Bitovt 1685; SK 8525; Sopikov 4888; Vernardsky, Russian Historiography , p.40. (5)