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Artachthos or A New Booke declaring the Assise or Weight of Bread not onely by Troy weight, according to the Law, but by Avoirdupois weight the common weight of England at what price soever, not exceeding Five pound the Quarter of wheate, shall be sold in the Market and conteining Divers Orders and Articles made and set forth by the Right honourable the Lords and others of his Majesties most honourable privie Councell
John Penkethman
1638
E Griffin; R Bishop; Stationers Shops : London
7" by 5.5"
A3, [1], B-K4, L2
SUMMARY
A very scarce and detailed work regarding the Assize of Bread during the seventeenth century. Retaining the charming engraved title page, which provides a step-by-step guide to making bread.
First Edition,Illustrated,Original Source
Overall Condition: Very Good
This book weighs 0.5 KG when packed
Canada/US Postage: £ 15.99
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European Postage: £ 14.99
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Worldwide Postage: £ 19.99
DESCRIPTION
A very scarce work, having only appeared at auction three times since 1983.
An early macroeconomic work, which traces the price of wheat from William the Conqueror noting its rise and fall. A primary source.
This work, by John Penkethman explores the Assize laws with regards bread. Included is a table of the Assize by Troy weight and Avoirdupois weight.
John Penkethman was an accountant by profession. He also translated Latin manuscripts into English. This work was intended to be used as a reference tool when deciding upon the price of bread. Penkethman also provides an outline of the history of the Assize law.
The law was first introduced in the high medieval period to regulate the price, weight and quality of the bread sold in towns, villages and hamlets. It was the first law in British history to regulate the production and sale of food.
ESTC No. 114433.
With the full title reading: ' Artachthos or A New Booke declaring the Assise or Weight of Bread not onely by Troy weight, according to the Law, but by Avoirdupois weight the common weight of England at what price soever, not exceeding Five pound the Quarter of wheate, shall be sold in the Market and conteining Divers Orders and Articles made and set forth by the Right honourable the Lords and others of his Majesties most honourable privie Councell, for the making and assising of all sorts of bread lawfull and vendible, within this Realme, as also for the reforming of sundry disorders and abuses committed thereinwhereunto is prefixed a briefe and plaine Introduction to the Art of Numeration ... And lastly hereunto is added. A true relation or Collection of the most remarkeable Dearths and Famines which have happened in England since the comming in of William the Conquerour, as also the rising and falling of the price of wheate and other Graine, with the severall occasions thereof'
Collated, lacking one leaf from gathering A, 'The names of the Lords and others of his Majesties most Honourable Privie Councell' & 'The Explanation of the Frontispiece'. According to the ESTC collation this is A1. Also lacking L3 and L4, which are the final errata leaf and one other leaf of text.
An important seventeenth century work, in the field of macroeconomics.
CONDITION
In a near contemporary vellum binding with yapp edges. Externally, generally smart with scattered spots and handling marks to the boards as is common with vellum. Internally, firmly bound. Engraved title page is closely trimmed to the fore-edge. Repair to the engraved title page at the gutter to the rear. A slightly later blank faces B 1. Small repair to closed tear to fore-margin of B4, initial five leaves and final leaf are guarded at the gutter margin. Pages are slightly age toned. The occasional white spot to F2-L2, mostly to the outer margin.
Overall Condition: Very Good
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Overall Condition
Fine - Very well preserved copy showing very little wear
Very Good Indeed - Only one or two minor faults, really a very attractive copy
Very Good - Quite a wide term meaning no major faults but probably several smaller ones
often expected given the age of the book, but still a respectable copy
Good - Meaning not very good. Some more serious faults as will
be described in the condition report under 'condition'
Good Only - Meaning one or more faults that could really do with repair
Fair - As with good only above but with other faults
leaving a compromised copy even after repair
Poor - Really bad and possibly seriously incomplete.
We only sell books in this condition where their rarity or value makes them
attractive none the less. Major defects will be described.
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