Beschreibung:

Title: The Works of Flavius Josephus: Translated into English by Sir Roger L'Estrange, Knight... Author: Josephus, Flavius Place: London Publisher: Printed for Richard Sare Date: 1702 Description: [6], 18, 1130 [i.e. 942] pp. With 3 copper-engraved plates engraved by M. Vander Gucht, including the frontispiece; 2 double-page copper-engarved maps. (folio) 17½x11" (44.6x28.5 cm.), period calf tooled in blind, rebacked with later gilt-tooled calf, raised spine bands, morocco lettering piece. First Edition of this translation. Magnificent large paper copy of L'Estrange's Josephus, printed on thick paper, considered the finest printing in English. One of the prime sources on the antiquities and wars of the Hebrew nation. The six parts, as listed on the title page, are "I. The antiquities of the Jews, in twenty books. II. Their wars with the Romans, in seven books. III. The life of Josephus written by himself. IV. His book against Apion, in defence of the antiquities of the Jews, in two parts. V. The martyrdom of the Maccabees. As also; VI. Philo's embassy from the Jews of Alexandria to Caius Caligula." The frontispiece consists of 4 portraits, above which are images of the Garden of Eden; the Ark of Noah; the Ark of the Covenant; and the Temple. The two plates show various religious and cultural accoutrements; there is a map of the Holy Land and a plan of Jerusalem. This copy is in the rare large paper state, some 3½ cm. taller than the largest copy described in OCLC. There are umerous errors and vagaries in the pagination, including omissions (no. 131-148, 555-584, 597-744) and numbered leaves 979-982, 987-990. Lot Amendments Condition: Binding rubbed but strong and sound; a few instances of marginal staining or light foxing within, offset from the frontispiece to the title-page; 1 plate with 2 holes, 1 in the margin, the other just intruding into the image; otherwise internally fine, a handsome book printed on thick paper. Item number: 193520