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The Historie of the World, Sir Walter Raleigh, 1666, London, 7th Ed. Folio | 4 Double-Page Engraved Maps + 1 Double Page Engraved Battle Plan
There is a remarkable story behind this book. Sir Walter Raleigh wrote this massive history while locked away in the Tower of London, waiting out a death sentence from King James I. Instead of giving up, he spent his years in a prison cell charting the rise and fall of ancient empires, pulling from biblical text and his own adventures on the high seas. He wrote it as an open warning to tyrants, arguing that no king is above history. King James was so furious at the critiques that he immediately banned the book, which backfired and turned it into an instant underground bestseller. It remains one of the most defiant and fascinating works of the 17th century.
Reading through the actual pages, the storytelling is incredibly intense. Raleigh doesn't just list dry dates; he writes about ancient battles, political backstabbing, and the sudden collapse of empires with the energy of someone who lived through similar chaos. He blends world history with his own thoughts on human nature, fate, and the pride of rulers. He makes the rise of Alexander the Great or the fall of Rome feel like an epic drama rather than a school lesson.
This book was printed in London the exact same year the Great Fire devastated the city, making it a true survivor. Most print shops and book stocks near St. Paul's Cathedral were completely reduced to ashes that September. Having a 360-year-old folio that escaped the flames is a rare find, and it makes an incredible centerpiece for anyone who collects early history.
The text is celebrated for its deep literary merit and its iconic structural format. It traditionally features intricate cartographic maps, genealogical tables, and an allegorical engraved title page that serves as a visual anchor for Enlightenment-era scholars. This rare post-Commonwealth printing remains a profound testament to Jacobean scholarship, political defiance, and the enduring legacy of an Elizabethan renaissance man.
We provide detailed photographs to allow you to assess the book's condition and aesthetic appeal.
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