LAW BOOK Lawyer/Government/Politics 16 Vols 1672 RARE AUTHOR AMASSED GREATEST LIBRARY~FOUNDER OF MODERN GOVT Start Price USD 9.99 Current Price USD 251.02 Time Left - Bid Count 21 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Saturday, August 23, 2008 End Time Tuesday, September 02, 2008 Location Historic Western Massachusetts See more about 'LAW BOOK Lawyer/Government/Politics 16 Vols 1672 RARE' Description VERY RARE, ORIGINAL 1672 EDITION OF: "COTTONI POSTHUMA. DIVERS CHOICE PIECES OF THAT RENOWNED ANTIQUARY, SIR ROBERT COTTON, KNIGHT AND BARONET, PRESERVED FROM INJURY OF TIME, AND EXPOSED TO PUBLICK LIGHT, FOR THE BENEFIT OF POSTERITY." This important 17th century treatise contains a collection of sixteen works, many related to law and government; each containing its own separate title [see images]. Author was an important antiquary, politician and book collector, who has been called "one of the founders of modern government and rule by precedence and common-law." According to C.J. Wright of the British Library, "The Library of Sir Robert Cotton is arguably the most important collection of manuscripts ever assembled in Britain by a private individual...Cotton had advocated for the foundation of a national library of which his collection would form a part...". [Wing C6487; ESTC r4774; Sweet & Maxwell 129:22; Dekesel 17th, C174].    "Cotton published little under his own name during his life, which perhaps reflects his involvement in the political affairs of the time. He advised a succession of leading politicians of his day, including James I and Charles I. This accounts for the nature of many tracts published by James Howells in Cottoni posthuma in 1651. Cotton did however have time to talk to other antiquarians and scholars, engage in an extensive correspondence with his counterparts in foreign lands, and above all to act as a source for many scholars engaged in their own work. The published acknowledgements of seventeenth-century writers testify to his pre-eminent role as a facilitator of scholarship. " [ODNB]   Sir Robert Bruce Cotton, 1st Baronet (1571-1631) was a noted English politician and founder of the famous Cotton library. He was of Huntingdonshire parentage and was educated at Westminster School and Jesus College, Cambridge. Cotton had become interested in antiquarian studies under William Camden, and began to amass an extensive library. He entered the Parliament of England as a member for Huntingdon in 1601, and helped devise the institution of the title "baronet" as a means for King James I of England to raise funds. Despite his early period of goodwill with James I, during which he was made a baronet, Cotton's politics became anti-royalist in nature and the authorities began to fear the uses of his library, which was confiscated in 1630 and returned only after his death to his heirs. The Cottonian Library, the richest private collection of manuscripts ever amassed, was eventually donated to the nation by Cotton's grandson and now resides at the British Library. Amongst its many treasures are the Lindisfarne Gospels, two of the contemporary exemplifications of Magna Carta and the only surviving manuscript of "Beowulf." Cotton collected especially Hebrew and Greek manuscripts and Anglo-Saxon charters. An unprinted classified catalog of the collection is in the Harleian MSS of the British Museum. The physical arrangement of Cotton's Library continues to be reflected in citations to manuscripts once in his possession. His library was housed in a 26 ft. x 6 ft. room filled with book presses, each with the bust of a figure from classical antiquity on top. Condition: Rare book remains in good condition. Volume bound in 18th century calf [leather] with paneled spine; light to moderate cover wear [see images], text commences at first title, scattered foxing, spotting, page repair noted, etc. Generally clean internally. All in all, this desirable treatise remains very presentable. Volume numbers 351-pages and measures approx 6 3/4" tall x 4 1/2" wide x 1 1/4" thick. Quite a find and a very worthy acquisition indeed. Payment and Shipping: Please review our feedback and bid with confidence. Buyer pays $6.50 USPS Priority Delivery within USA (or at cost internationally), plus insurance if desired. Insurance not offered on international parcels, Massachusetts residents please add 5% sales tax, or dealers include your tax resale number. Accepted forms of payment are Money Order, Check, and PayPal. Payment must be received within 10 days after close of auction. Never a reserve and very low opening bid as always. Thanks for your interest and good luck. boysells store Place a Bid!