Monumenta Anglicana: Being Inscriptions on the Monuments of several Eminent Persons

London: W. Bowyer, 1717 and 1718. First edition. Cloth. Very Good. Size unlisted. Not Stated. Three sections of the Monumenta Anglicana, professionally rebound in two attractive volumes. Three sections of the Monumenta Anglicana, professionally rebound in two attractive volumes. The set is comprised of inscriptions from 1650-79, 1680-99 and 1700-1715, seemingly published in reverse chronological order. The second volume is a first edition, and advertised as 'intended as a specimen of a much larger work'. Indeed, Le Neve went on to publish three more similar collections of epitaphs - including the two ensconced in the first volume - covering different historical periods. This first collection features the contemporary obituaries of the previous 15 years, with some of the information being supplied by the stone masons before work was actually completed. The later 1718 publications, but historically and chronologically earlier volumes, deal with inscriptions from less than 100 years previously and all offer a fascinating insight into epitaphs long since weathered away. Spine labels are in French, text is in English. With some lovely vignettes, head and tail pieces and illuminated capitals throughout. Rebound in quarter cloth over marbled boards with leather spine labels. Externally, really rather smart with wear to spine labels only. Internally, firmly bound. Very light but frequent spotting throughout, some occasional handling marks. Evidence of past worming to lower half of the entire first book of the second volume. Very Good