Chronological tables with two highly interesting passages of annotation: across two of the blank pages is a manuscript ink copy letter in a contemporary hand, addressed “Most dread Sovereign” which relates to Henry Sacheverell’s submissions during his trial of 1709 following his Gundpowder Plot sermons: “Having lately incurred the displeasure of the honourable H of Com. by preaching a sermon on the 5
th November I have no appeal to make but to your gracious goodness…”. This is signed off with Sacheverell’s initials and could be in his hand but this seems relatively unlikely. To another blank page, in the same hand, is a summary of “The Oath of a privy Counsellour”, which, we learn, “is to keep secret all matters committed & revealed to him, or what[?] shall be revealed of secretly in Counsole”. Across two further blanks the owner has also recorded a list of “the months we meet with in scripture to which of ours they answer”, i.e. a list of Biblical months, alongside their contemporary equivalent. One other blank additionally bears some later (early twentieth-century) pencil notes concerning the change from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar. An interesting copy, seemingly owned by a member of the Privy Council of (most likely) Queen Anne (reigned 1702-1714) or George I (1714-1727).
First licensed in 1689, the work provides a pocket-sized series of detailed chronological tables charting the reigns of Europe’s monarchs, emperors, and popes, whilst also clearly serving as a handy notebook for its owner.
Sixth impression. Oblong format. Modern full brown leather with decoration in gilt to the boards. Two linen-backed engraved folding tables affixed to the front and rear pastedowns. The first five leaves printed on both recto and verso, the rest on one side only. The entire work engraved, including a decorative title page, a plate depicting coats of arms, and a decorative perpetual almanac. Early twentieth-century previous owner’s bookplate to the front free endpaper and another to the rear endpaper. A very good copy, the binding square and firm with cracking to the front hinge. The contents with a minor splash mark to a few page corners are otherwise in very good order throughout.
