Basilika: The Workes of Charles the Martyr with a Collection of Declarations Treaties and other Papers

Folio (35 x 24.5m) bound in tree calf, red morocco spine label; the binding a little scuffed and rubbed but perfectly sound and serviceable and pleasing to the eye. Marbled endpapers with the armorial book plate of ‘James Greenway’ to the front pastedown. Two preliminary blanks precede the printed text which lacks the engraved title page and the portrait of Charles I (A1-2), beginning at A3 with the red-ruled letterpress title page. Otherwise the text collates complete with the three double page plates present - the Carolus plate; Lotha and the Cedar engraving. Noted during collation: small hole below page number to k2; a little staining to the lower outer corner of the text block which becomes slightly more pronounced in the final gatherings. The book comprises two volumes in one as issued: pp [16]120 [2] pp123-460 [8] pp 734 [6] without the inserted leaf of Latin verses after p.458 which Madan notes as not always present.

This is an important work which marks the change of fortunes of the Stuart dynasty following Charles II’s restoration to the throne and the rehabilitation of his father.