Description
[Anstis, John]
The register of the Most Noble Order of the Garter from its cover in black velvet usually called the Black Book with notes placed at the bottom of the pages and an introduction. London: John Barber, 1724. First edition, 2 volumes, folio, engraved frontispiece to each volume, engraved vignettes as head and tail pieces, 13 engraved plates (of which 2 are folding), with the "Editoris appendix" bound at the front of volume 2, contemporary sprinkled calf, with some scuff marks and rubbing, occasional slight paper discolouration, single wormhole in the margin of the prelims. to volume 1, otherwise a very good copy with good margins. (2)
Note: Moule 477. "Glover, Camden and Dugdale are formidable names, yet it may be questioned whether Anstis did not in strictly heraldic learning surpass them all. In perusing his manuscript remains one is constantly astonished at the breadth and depth of his scholarship and his mastery of a vast range of primary sources." (Wagner Heralds of England, p. 318. His reputation was established by the present publication, though only these two volumes appeared out of a projected eight, which he undertook at his own expense of £1,000, and of which he only recovered about half.
Provenance: Signature of George Edward Stanley on the title-pages.