The Common-wealth of Utopia: containing a learned and pleasant Discourse of the best State of a publike-Weale, as it is found in the Government of the new Ile called Utopia
London: B. Alsop & T. Fawcet, 1639. Calfskin. Good. Item #072222
Full original calf, with both fixed endpapers freed from the boards but still attached to the page block; the front hinge is now covered by the large bookplate of Hugh Cecil Lowther, Fifth Earl of Lonsdale, accompanied but not obscured by a small, penned note and the plate of Dallas oil giant John W. McReynolds; the binding is relaxed enough to show cords, but secure. Pages bear mild age-toning around the margins and light foxing at preliminaries and terminals, with only ghosts of decoration at block edges; chestnut leather bears an open pull sign at the spine head, only residue of the title plate, long scuffs at both shoulders and a shorter one at upper spine with some cracking and a tiny bore stopped along the spine, wear down to the follicles around the front board (less so on the rear) approaching exposure at free corners, mere score lines around board edges and across spine where once was gold, and a few stray, small ink spots and droplet marks; nonetheless, remarkably uniform color, minimal staining or loss, and comfortably flexible joints. In English translation, with dedication by Ber. Alsop, to be sold by Wil. Sheares in Bedford Street 'near the New Exchange'. 305pp.
Price: $3,950.00