Rerum Scoticarum Historia, Auctore Georgio Buchanano Scoto ad Jacobum Scotorum Regem

Utrecht: Petrum Elzevirium, 1668 A good early edition of this important work on Scottish history, first published in 1582. George Buchanan was a renowned 16th century scholar who, among many other appointments, tutored both the young Mary Queen of Scots and James VI. This is the first history of Scotland written by a Scot and is notable, particularly for the accounts from his own lifetime. It is in Latin - a language that he was so at ease with that he has been called the greatest writer in Latin of the 16th century. This copy is in a possibly contemporary full leather binding with raised bands, blind-stamped designs and title label to spine. The binding is worn, particularly at the spine joints, top and bottom of the spine, corners and edges. There is a bookplate of George Govan Esq to the front pastedown and possibly contemporary scholarly notes to the reverse of the fep and the initial blank. With title page in red and black; introductions and page of dedications 68pp; history pp 1-750; index 38pp; final blank. There is tape over the front endpaper joint and paper repair to the top of the fep and the verso of the title page. The top margin is quite closely trimmed in places; there is very minor worm damage to the side margin of pp 156-166; and a paper flaw to the side margin of pp 487-96. Contents are very clean; paper has light toning.