Edwards

Edition illustrated with 78 portraits, not 72 as stated on the title page, engraved by Harding and Voet, after the original paintings. Some minor foxing, ownership inscription in pen on the title page which left a small ink stain to the lower right-hand corner of the same page, slight scuffing to the boards.
Entirely printed on vellum, complete with the binder's instructions at the beginning and the index table at the end.
Edition with commentary by Horace Walpole.
Bound in full Russian red morocco, spine with three raised bands, spine framed in gilt and elaborately decorated with gilt typographic motifs, gilt roulettes at head and foot of spine, slight rubbing to spine-ends,

First edition. The work was published for Edward de Halifax. It was compiled and collected by George Ellis.
Contemporary full red morocco binding with long grain (English binding). Spine with raised bands and fillets. Gilt fillets framing the boards. All edges gilt. One wormhole to a joint. Handsome copy, very fresh.
The work brings together works by Henry VIII, Marlowe, Shakespeare, Drummond, Dryden...