Richard Rawlinson — The English Topographer

London, T. Jauncy, 1720 . First edition. Leather. The pioneering first edition of William Rawlinson's very scarce publication of writings on the topography of England, gathered from his impressive manuscript collection. The very scarce first edition of English clergyman and antiquarian book and manuscript collector Richard Rawlinson's work.In this volume, Rawlinson gathers from his collection writing on the 'antiquities, natural history, and topographical description' of England and Wales.It has been claimed that this is the earliest of such works, predating Gough's 'British Topography' by half a century.With vignette illustrations of Old Seals.ESTC T146414With the armorial bookplate of Pauncefort Duncombe to the front pastedown, and of William Rolleston Saunders to the rear pastedown.Upon his death, Rawlinson left 5,205 manuscripts to the Bodleian library. In a panelled calf binding. Externally, excellent, with light rubbing to back strip. Joint heads and tails starting, with boards a touch tender. Bookplates to pastedowns. Internally, firmly bound. Pages clean and bright. Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Good .