The History of England from the Accession of James II

London: The Folio Society, 1985. Hardcover. Introduction by Peter Rowlandson. Complete 5-volume set. Small 4to. Blue cloth with gilt spine lettering and elaborate gilt rules, two slipcases (first housing Volumes I-II, second housing Volumes III-V). xxiv, 526; xvii, 542pp; xxiv, 582pp; xxxiv, 661pp; xxiii, 243pp. Frontispieces, illustrations. Fine/very good. All volumes are pristine and tight, as is first slipcase; second slipcase with expertly, archivally mended split at bottom only. First of this modern edition of the well-known historical survey -- but with choice autograph addition: Tipped just below the Volume I frontispiece is an envelope front panel addressed and signed at lower left by Macaulay -- 4 3/4 X 2 5/8". In brown ink, Macaulay addresses it at center to Earl Stanhope, adding "3 Grosvenor Place Houses" below and signing at lower left/ Very good. Moderately age toned. (Philip Stanhope, 5th Earl Stanhope, 1805-75, was a Tory politician, antiquarian and historian, often remembered as good friend to Macaulay.) Macaulay was a British historian and politician (member of Parliament, Secretary of War 1839-41, Paymaster-General 1846-48) and by far THE most highly-regarded and influential historian of his generation, most often remembered for this multi-volume classic.