Reverend Richard Polwhele — The History of Devonshire

Exeter, Cadell, Johnson, and Dilly; Cadell, Dilly, and Murray; Messrs. Cadell and Davies, 1793-1806. First edition. Leather. A scarce first edition copy of this topographical study of Devonshire in three volumes, bound in one volume. The first edition of this scarce work rebound in a full morocco binding, with the original leather laid down to the boards.Reverend Richard Polwhele's three-volume history of Devonshire; one of his two major works on county histories, the other exploring Cornwall. Polwhele (1760-1838) was a Cornish clergyman, poet and historian.Volume I provides a general description of Devonshire, and then information on the weather, topography, geology, flora and fauna, and agricultural practices of the county. Following this is a history of the county from the first settlements and the arrival of Julius Caesar, to the Saxons and Normans, then to King Charles I, and finally to the late 18th century. Volumes II and III provide information on the Diocese of Exeter, and the various archdeaconries of Exeter, Barnstaple, Totnes and surrounding areas.Volume I was published by Cadell, Johnson, and Dilly, Exeter, 1797. Volume II was published by Cadell, Dilly, and Murray, Exeter, 1793. Volume III was published by Messrs. Cadell and Davies, Exeter, 1806. Volume I is paginated individually, then there is a continuous pagination from the section of Volume II titled 'Archdeaconries of Exeter, Barnstaple and Totnes' until the end of Volume III. In this particular volume, pages 247-48 and 381-82 of Volume II are not cancels. Volume I is lacking the map, and all volumes are lacking plates; otherwise, issue points match ESTC citation no. N17500.Page of corrections to the rear of the volume. Rebound in a full morocco binding, with original leather laid down to the boards. Externally sound, with rubbing to the boards and extremities. Bumping to the extremities. Losses to the original leather to the extremities. Institutional library bookplate to the front paste down, with library stamp to the title page, verso of the title page, the dedication page, and the fifth page of the second part of Volume II.Internally, firmly bound. Pages are generally bright with the odd spot. Small closed tear to the upper extremities of the title page, dedication page, and first page, with a small repair to the tear to the first page. Tape repair to the fore edge of the last page, and to the upper extremity of page 337 of Volume II. Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Good .