Illustrations of British History, Biography and Manners

London: G. Nicol, 1791 . First edition. Leather. Good. 12.5" by 10". Not stated. The first edition of this illustrated history of Britain from the late eighteenth century complete in three volumes. First edition of Illustrations of British History, Biography and Manners by Edmund Lodge in half calf bindings and marbled boards. A history from the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary, Elizabeth and James I, exhibited in a series of original papers from the manuscripts of the notable families of Howard, Talbot and Cecil. Contains a great part of the correspondence of Elizabeth and her Ministers with George the Sixth Earl of Shrewsbury during the fifteen years in which Mary Queen of Scots remained in his custody. An uncommon set from the late eighteenth century. With a colour plate as the frontispiece of Volume I, and monochrome plates for Volumes II and III. Volume I also contains eight plates of autographs. Collated, complete. In half calf bindings and marbled boards. Externally, sound. There is some bumping to the heads and tails of the spines and to the extremities. There is some wear to the bindings. The hinges are slightly strained but firm. Internally, firmly bound. The pages are generally bright and clean with just some occasional spotting and age toning. Good