Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603) The Historie of Guicciardin, in a Presentation Binding with the Queen's Arms.
London: Imprinted by Richard Field, 1599.
Folio, second edition, text printed in single column roman letter throughout; bound in full contemporary dark brown calfskin, ruled in blind, with Elizabeth's gilt cartouche incorporating a crowned coat of arms within the garter on front and back board, rebacked and recornered, generally well preserved, this particular binding cited in Cyril Davenport's English Heraldic Book-Stamps, on page 159; tear with slight loss of blank top margin to title, other minor spotting and a bit of minor worming; contemporary ownership inscription of "Master William Thomas" on first leaf of text; ex libris Frederick Martin Burton with his modern armorial bookplate inside front board; later endleaves and pastedowns; lacking blanks; signature Tt with Tt2 becoming loose and stub of a cancel leaf between Tt4 & Tt5; 11 x 7 in.
Geoffrey Fenton (1539-1608) completed his first English translation of Guicciardini's (1483-1540) Italian original in 1579, dedicating the text to Queen Elizabeth. The Folger also has two copies of this edition bearing Elizabeth's arms in gilt on the front and back boards. It's possible that Fenton had a number of copies bound in this way for presentation to patrons, and in support of the Queen.
