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Special Collections - Rare Books: 17th Century

1614: Workes of Seneca, translated by Thomas Lodge

Lodge was most notable for writing a prose romance “Rosalynde” (1590) which became his friend William Shakespeare’s source for “As You Like It.” In original calf covers and rebacked.

1666: History of the World, by Sir Walter Raleigh

Written while Raleigh imprisoned at the Tower of London and printed after his death. Note the frontispiece illustration that, for work to be remembered, it must be written in books.

1684: Acts and Monuments of Matters Most Special and memorable Happening in the Church…, by John Fox.

A 9th edition set of books commonly referred to as “Fox’s Book of Martyrs.” While not an early edition, new copper plate engravings were created for the 1684 edition to replace the old worn woodcuts of previous editions, making this particular edition stand out.