4 volumes. [4], xxiii, [3], 557; [16], 581; [24], 603, [21 (index)]; [4], iii, [1], 523, [11 (index)] pp. Illustrated with copper-engraved frontispieces and vignettes throughout, including head-and tail pieces, engraved capitals and initials. (Folios) 15¼x9½, uniformly bound in modern (but in the style of the period) quarter calf and marbled boards, gilt-lettered red morocco spine labels, raised bands, new endpapers. First Editions.
Clarendon began his work in April, 1641, and finished during the period of his exile (1667-1674). It is considered to be the "most valuable of all the contemporary accounts of the civil wars" - Dictionary of National Biography. "Printed under the supervision of Clarendon's son, it remains a classic work. It is also an important contribution to the art of biography and autobiography, and memorable for its portraits of figures as varied as Falkland, Godolphin, Laud, and Strafford" - Oxford Companion to English Literature, p.202.
Condition:
Slight darkening; occasional finger-soiling and faint foxing; Vol. I with light dampstaining to upper portion of first several pages (including title and frontispiece); Vol. II with small worming holes to lower portions from half-title to start of main text); Life of Clarendon volume with offsetting to title from frontispiece; otherwise contents clean and bright, still a near fine set.