8vo. 2 vols. Vol 1: [1], xlviii, 544pp; Vol 2: 592pp, xvi. 52 line engraved plates and 1 folding map of Britain, or “Britannica, Rum Insula, Rum Typus”. Contemporary, full leather binding. Black leather labels with gilt lettering (added later). Raised bands, 6 compartments with gilt decoration on spine. Marbled fore-edges. Rubbed boards, edges and spine. Leather is cracked at head and tail of spine on both volumes. Gilt detailing faded somewhat on spines’ compartments. Joints cracked at top and bottom of vol. 1, however binding is still firm. Otherwise, the contents are bright, clean and complete. The engraved plates, many of them portraits and city views, are in fantastic condition. First edition of this comprehensive account of Cromwell’s life. Gregorio Leti, an Italian protestant, moved from France to England due to the persecution of protestants under the reign of Louis XIV. There he wrote a number of historical accounts on the rulers of Britain, before eventually fleeing for Holland having insulted Charles II with the publication of his “il Teatro Britannico”. It was in Holland that he wrote his Life of Cromwell, all the while trying to repair his shattered relationship with Charles II. Full text is in Italian.
