Description

The Vale-Royal of England or, The County Palatine of Chester Illustrated. Wherein is contained a Geographical and Historical Description of that Famous County, with all its Hundreds and Seats of the Nobility, Gentry and Freeholders From 1656, the history and antiquities of the county of Chester in northwestern England, edited and introduced by Daniel King, with material by William Smith, William Webb, and Samuel Lee. Illustrations are by King and Wenceslaus Hollar. This text features a double-page map of the county, three textual illustrations, and two plates. Other copies of this book also include eleven plates with illustrations of coats of arms, but these seem never to have been included in this copy. One of the plate illustrations in this copy, a handsome depiction of the court of Hugh Lupus, Earle of Chester, does not appear in any other copy that I've located online. Also, interestingly, two original errata slips remain present. Additionally, at the end of this volume is A Short Treatise on the Isle of Man by James Chaloner, who was to become governor of the island. This 29-page treatise is illustrated with a coat of arms plate and a double-page map. Condition: The book was rebound in the early 1800s with new endpapers, flyleaves, and title page; the original title page is missing, so that the 1656 text opens on the dedication page. This page shows signs of repair. The covers have wear and some water damage, as seen in the photos; the water staining has almost no effect on the text. There are ownership marks on the front endpaper, dated 1836 and 1932; also some notes by both of these owners on the front and rear flyleaves. The text has scattered soiling and occasional notes in an ancient hand. Both maps have neat paper tape repairs on the reverse. The binding is still holding well but shows cracking in a couple places. On the whole a good copy, considering the book's great age. An extremely rare collector's item in any condition, seldom listing for under $3,000.00 Measures 7" X 11", about 450 pages in all. Ships promptly & securely.