FIRST EDITION The Itinerary of John Leland the Antiquary. Published from the Original MS, in the Bodleian Library By Thomas Hearne M.A.

First edition, volumes 1-8 of this important and scarce 9 volume work by John Leland which records his journeys around England and Wales in the Tudor era, researching into local topography and providing a fascinating survey of England and Wales. In addition to the inclusion of the printed original manuscript from the Bodleian Library, Oxford, each volume contains various accounts including those of antiquities found in Yorkshire, Hertfordshire, the University of Oxford, Antoninus’s itinerary through Britain, the Stunsfield tessellated pavement and the customs of the manor of Woodstock. Just 120 copies of this first edition were printed.

DESCRIPTION 8 volumes in very good condition, bound in publisher’s original handsome speckled, panelled calf to front and rear. (See explanation to rear of vol. 2.) A little surface abrasion to boards and shelf wear to corners and edges. Panelled spines chipped, decorative gilt worn but very solid throughout. Vol. 3 and vol. 8 include a black title plate to top of spine, lettered ‘Leland’s Itinerary’ in gilt. Attractive red speckled text block edges to all volumes. Previous owner’s bookplate to front pastedown of each volume ‘J. D. Bland Esq Kippax Park’ [1663 -1715] and a later addition signature ‘CM Sutcliffe’ in blue biro. ‘John Bland’ written in sloping cursive to top of title page vol 1. Text blocks otherwise clean, age toned throughout. Slight cracking to front endpapers over spines, otherwise all volumes sound. Circa. 12 in text and full-page engravings spread throughout volumes plus an impressive folding plate in very fine condition in vol. 8. Number of leaves ranges from approximately 120 -200 pp. per book.