This volume dating from circa 1790 contains two title pages - one engraved with vignette, the second directly after composited letterpress. The information on each varies, and suggests an indecision about how best to market the work - as a new volume, or as a continuation of Fox's Book of Martyrs. In fact it is both.
The FIRST ENGRAVED TITLE PAGE reads:
A NEW EDITION
Fox's Book of Martyrs, Containing Copious and Authentic Accounts of the Live, Sufferings and Deaths of the Protestant Martyrs in the Reign of Queen Mary the First.
To which will be added
The Lives and Persecutions of the Primitive Martyrs from the Birth of Christ to the time of Queen Mary.
Original Composed by John Fox MA. Now Revised and Corrected by a Minister of the Gosple [sic].
London, Published by Alex Hogg.
The SECOND, LETTERPRESS TITLE PAGE reads:
The New and Complete Book of Martyrs; or an Universal History of Martyrdom, Containing the Whole of Fox's Book of Martyrs, and the Whole and Entire Substance of all other Works that have appeared since the Publication. etc. Circa 1790.
by John Fox MA, and Modernized by Paul Wright DD
Published by ALEX HOGG, LONDON
Full Calf, Folio, full calf, contemporary binding.
This impressive book stands 40cm tall, is 25cm across the board and 7.5cm thick. It weigh 5 kilos, so will need extra shipping.
Description:
The classic text showing martyrdoms from the earliest periods, drawing on John Fox's original and extended by Paul Wright.
The book is in contemporary full calf, rubbed and worn, with joint cracked. The boards are firmly attached and the text block is solid and integral, with clean pages showing occasional yellowing.
Something of a rarety, the book retains the engraved frontispiece, engraved title page, title page, and also includes 94 full page engravings.
Overall, a scarce volume in FAIR/GOOD condition. These volumes sell at high prices when you can find them. This one is offered at a decent price. A heavy volume, weighing 6 kilos when packed!