John Milton — Angli Pro Populo Anglicano Defensio

Londini [Gouda], Typis Du Gardianis [G. de Hoeve], 1652 . Leather. A scarce early unauthorised continental edition of John Milton's argument in favour of the regicide of Charles I, and the legitimacy of the republican regime. In the original Latin.First published the year prior, this is an unauthorised continental edition - one of a number of such unauthorised editions - with a false imprint. While stating that it was produced in London, it is believed this work was printed in Gouda by G. de Hoeve.Published as a response to Defensio Regia pro Carolo I by Claudius Salmasius, which defended the executed King Charles I, Milton contends that the people have the right to hold their ruler accountable and depose a tyrant.ESTC No R18974With the collation A-H12. Collated, complete.Rebacked, with endpapers renewed.A former owner has hand-coloured the title page vignette and first letter of page 2, and first letter of page 17.This tract helped establish Milton"s reputation as a political thinker as well as a poet. Rebacked, in a full calf binding, with back strip laid down. Endpapers renewed. Light rubbing to back strip head and tail, with tail of front joint starting, and boards firmly held. Internally, firmly bound. A former owner has hand-coloured the title page vignette and first letter of page 2, and first letter of page 17. Pages otherwise clean and bright. Good . Ill.: None. Good .