Plot, Robert | First edition of The Natural History of Stafford-Shire in a magnificent binding

Plot, Robert

The Natural History of Stafford-Shire. Oxford: Printed at the Theatre, 1686

Folio (350 x 230 mm). Engraved title vignette, headpieces, and initials, folding map, with "armes omitted" plate that is often lacking, 37 engraved plates; folding map strengthened and repaired, some dampstaining, occasional spotting. Contemporary red morocco in the manner of a cottage roof binding, possibly an Oxford binding in the manner of Roger Bartlett, richly tooled gilt with foliate and floral motifs including tulips and poppies, spine with raised bands in seven compartments, second gilt-lettered, others with repeat floral motif in gilt, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt; rubbed with some faint staining. Red cloth-covered drop back box.

First edition—a magnificent copy. The present example contains some of the tools shown by Nixon in "Roger Bartlett's Bookbinding" (The Library, March 1962, pp.56-65), including numbers 4, 6, 7, and 19.

REFERENCES

ESTC R21986

PROVENANCE

Earl of Berkshire (armorial bookplate to front pastedown; and ownership inscription to title) — E.H. Dring (ownership inscription to front free endpaper) — Sotheby's London, 10 May 2001, lot 47