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Hard cover, 8vo. (measuring 5 x 7¾ inches) in a fine Arts and Crafts style re-binding, signed "Hatchards, 187 Piccadilly" on front turn-in. Full brown crushed morocco with gilt decoration to both boards, featuring a design of twining foliage, hearts shot through with arrows and gilt rule. The spine has six raised bands with title, date of publication and repeat of heart and foliage design within ruled boxes. Top edge is gilt. The endpapers have a watercolor effect, an attractive engraved and monogrammed bookplate, as well as additional gilt foliage sprays appearing on the turn-ins. CONDITION: Very Good Plus, or better. Minor wear to outer joints, (more so to the front). Very minor foxing appears on a few pages. One minor closed tear to the fore-edge of p.10. Offset from turn-ins to endpapers. Collation: (6), (vii), 329, (5) pp. The author, SIR PHILIP SIDNEY, KNIGHT (1554-1586), is perhaps best known as an Elizabethan poet, whose love sonnets have been compared favorably to those by Shakespeare. He was also a gifted scholar of languages, which helped him immeasurably in his diplomatic postings in his early twenties. Sidney famously advised Queen Elizabeth I against marriage to the Count of Anjou, warning her that a man, and a Catholic at that, would diminish her power as a Protestant monarch. This letter, as well as others, are also included in the contents Overall, this is a very handsome book about a remarkably gifted author, diplomat and soldier who accomplished so much in a brief career. Watson Vol. 1, 1047.
Ref: FINE 8389
$550.00