The Antiquities of Warwickshire Illustrated; from Records, Leiger-Books, Manuscripts, Charters, Evidences, Tombes and Armes: Beautified with Maps, Prospects and Portraictures by Dugdale, William - 1656

London: Thomas Warren, 1656. [14], 826pp, [14]. Later full morocco, raised bands, spine in seven panels, title in gilt to second panel, place and date to fourth, remaining panels with gilt central lozenge made up of flower head, leafy stem and star tools, with volute corner pieces, covers with double panel design, outer panel of dog-tooth roll and single fillet, with crown corner pieces and volute pyramids to centres, joined to the inner panel of double fillet and scalloped roll, leaf and flowers by flower head corner pieces and semi mitres, gilt double fillet to edges, flower head roll to inner edges, a.e.g., with comb and curl marbled endpapers. Slightly rubbed to extremities, lower cover with some abrasion / pitting to bottom corner. Very slightly browned internally, generally bright and clean, small repaired hole to title (not affecting text). Tipped in note to page 58 (see below). Seventeen engraved plates, chiefly by Hollar, including a portrait frontispiece and eleven folding, and one hundred and eighty-three illustrations to text. Binding is by Bedford. Includes loosely inserted leaves from the auction catalogue of the library of Edward Blake Beal sold by Christie, Manson and Woods, 7th December 1868, with lot 173 in the sale described as 'Dugdale, Antiquities of Warwickshire, brilliant impressions of the plates by Hollar, beautiful copy, red morocco extra, gilt edges by Bedford" (almost certainly this copy). Also included is a 4pp letter dated 23rd December 1868, from J.V.B. Rye at the British Museum to F.C. Brooke remarking on the armorial plate of Basil Filding and Elizabeth Aston facing pg. 58 in the volume. A handsome copy of one of the best county histories. Upcott 1247-1259; Wing D2479; Lowndes I:687-688. First Edition. Full Morocco. Very Good. Illus. by Hollar, W.. Folio.