Descrizione

Volumes 1-3 Complete [two more volumes were published through 1812]. LIMITED EDITION OF ONLY 325 COPIES, and one of only 250 on Royal paper. This edition is the first reprinting of Hakluyt's great work. Large 4to, contemporary full polished calf finely tooled in blind in the panels of the spine, gilt lettered, with blind-tooled borders and frames on the covers. xxvii, [v], 670; ix, [viii], 684; viii, [viii], 623. Internally a fine set. The boards detached, easily repaired. With the engraved bookplate of Sir John E. Swinburne of Capheaton (possibly the son or grandson of Sir John Swinburne, third Baronet of Capheaton).

Edizione: the first reprinting of the great first 1598 folio edition of hakluyt's masterwork, "a scarce and valuable set" (cox). there were only 325 sets of this edition printed: 250 on royal paper and 75 on imperial paper. the final two volumes which are not present, contained supplementary voyages not included in the original edition but printed later; the three volumes present include many important english travels to the near east and russia, the americas, and the west coast of africa. these "principle navigations" are, according to froude, “the prose epic of the english nation” - pmm.