⁂ Please note, the description of this lot has changed ⁂

Arthurian legend.- Heywood (Thomas) The Life of Merlin, sirnamed Ambrosius. His prophesies, and predictions interpreted; and their truth made good by our English annalls, first edition, engraved frontispiece, title within woodcut typographic border, woodcut head- and tail-pieces and decorative initials, d2 and G3 with short neat splits within text, without loss, occasional spotting or light staining, lightly browned throughout, stunning dark brown crushed morocco by Rivière & Son, covers profusely decorated with red, citron, black, and brown morocco onlays on a richly gilt stippled background, including title centre-pieces, two heads of Merlin emitting prophecies (without the long white beard of Romantic tradition), and strapwork and foliage decoration, all within citron morocco, gilt scrolling foliage, and black morocco borders (working outwards in that order), spine in six compartments, four of which with decorative red and orange morocco onlays on a background of gilt stippled dots within a black morocco onlay frame, lower joint starting, upper cover detached, little rubbed at extremities, [Pforzheimer 478; Wing H1786], small 4to (binding 188 x 146mm.), g.e, Printed by J. Okes, and are to be sold by Jasper Emery in Pauls Church-yard, at the signe of the Eagle and Child, neare St. Austins Gate, 1641.

⁂ 'This compilation based on Alanus, and the English chroniclers, Fabyan, Holinshed, Speed, et al., is one of Heywood's most interesting pot-boilers. It was designed to attract that growing public which, worried and confused by the shadow of the coming troubles, might hope for guidance from this farrago of prognostications...' (Pforzheimer).

Provenance: M.C.D. Borden (bookplate to front pastedown).