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Burton, Thomas & Rutt, John Towill (editor).
Diary of Thomas Burton, Esq [4 volumes, complete].
Publisher: Henry Colburn, London;
Date of Publication: 1828
Stock Code: 9369
FIRST EDITION. Octavo, pp. [2], cxcii, 423, [1]; [2], 543, [1]; viii, 596; [8], 549, [1] errata. Frontispiece to each of the first three volumes comprising: engraving of the House of Commons in 1656 to Vol I, facsimile of original manuscript entry for 31 March 1659 to Vol II and plate of facsimile signatures of notable parliamentarians including Oliver and Richard Cromwell to Vol III. Contemporary half-calf with 5 raised bands, gilt titles to maroon and black labels to spine and gilt decoration to compartments, with marbled paper-covered boards. Calf a little scuffed with loss at lower corners Vol IV only; boards also lightly surface scuffed, and gilt rubbed. Scattered foxing, mainly to endpapers and prelims; ownership inscription dated 1944 to front paste-down Vol I. A Very Good set. The anonymous manuscript now held at the British Museum was translated and annotated by Rutt (1760-1841), who as an experienced editor and member of the Society for Constitutional Information was able to ascribe the diary to Burton from internal evidence. Thomas Burton of Brampton Hall was a Justice of the Peace and MP for Westmoreland during the Commonwealth period and the diary is an important primary source for the proceedings in the Parliaments of 1656- 1659, Burton’s reports adding to the records in the Commons Journal for the protectorate period. Heavyweight so a contribution towards increased postage costs will be requested for overseas delivery. £225.00