Reliquiae Sacrae Carolinae - The Workes of that Great Monarch and Glorious Martyr King Charles I King Charles I

Reliquiae Sacrae Carolinae: The Workes of that Great Monarch and Glorious Martyr King Charles I States published in 1648 but really in 1658. NO copy was printed in 1648. OVERALL CONDITION: VERY GOOD+ Collated and compete, including blank flyleaves and plates (often lacking). First published in folio format in 1650 (very scarce), which along with the Eikon Basilike: His Sacred Majestie in His Solitudes and Sufferings (included in this work and first published in 1649) led to King Charles the First's martyrdom after he was executed in 1649, and eventually the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660. Banned by the English parliament for stirring up of royalist sympathies, attempts to suppress the work failed. It became wildly popular and reprinted numerous times until the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660. This copy, like all others for the time period, was given a false imprint (incorrectly stated publisher and city of publication and often incorrect year) to avoid legal persecution of those involved in its printing and distribution by the newly established English Commonwealth. This copy states it was published by Sam Browne in Hague, Netherlands in 1648 but this is false. This copy was published in 1658 in London by Richard Royston - a bookseller and royalist. *** The Eikon Basilike appeared just days after the King's execution and was wildly successful. Demand was such that it ran to many editions and reprints--Almack suggests as many as 50 editions in the first 6 months. Before long, additional Royalist material, such as the King's prayers, began to appear in some of these later editions. Other material variously included was Reasons (the King's reasoning against the jurisdiction of the court that convicted him), various Letters, Relations (speeches to his children prior to his execution) and Epitaph. Much of this additional material had been published separately. ABOUT THIS SET Two volumes in contemporary fine full diced calf: rolled gilt wreath patterned paneling; seven gilded flat, spine bands separating compartments with gilt lettering and decoration; board edges ruled in gilt; all edges stained yellow & speckled (mostly faded except bottom edge); marbled endpapers. Octavo, 6 7/8" x 4.5". Collated and compete. Volume I: "Reliquiae Sacrae Carolinae Workes of that great monarch and glorious martyr King Charles the Ist, both civil and sacred, with a short view of the life and reign of that most blessed prince from his birth to his buriall" Pagination - [2], 96 [2] 355 pp, frontispiece. Title page ruled in red. A few decorated initials. Volume II: "The pourtraicture of His Sacred Majestie in his solitudes and sufferings, together with severall additions relating to the death of that most religious and blessed prince". Pagination - [10], 374, 9-119,[8], double-paged plate. Separate title page for Eikon Basilike in red and black with skull with a crown device symbolizing the martyred King Charles I. A few decorated initials. CONDITION REPORT: VERY GOOD+ Both volumes are collated and complete, including frontispiece, two-page plate and original blanks (scarce to find in this condition and truly complete). Exterior and binding - square spines, firm hinges, rubbed joints. Chip to crown of spine of Volume II. Fading of yellow stained page edges and speckling over the centuries. Top edges darkened and dusty. Rubbed boards and edges. bumped corners. Sun-darkened spines. In excellent shape for its age! Interior: pages are bright and clean overall, including endpapers. Pages are trimmed. Some light marginal page chipping and small tears on several pages. Light offsetting from frontispiece in Volume I. Signs of handling: Some thumbing & mild creasing, gift inscriptions in ink on a blank in each volume. Scattered occasional spot or two of foxing. Volume I has a few pages with a small hole over the page number. Front pastedowns with Christopher Rowe's bookplate. A higher grade set in beautiful fine binding.