The History of Great Britaine by John Speed. 1611 a quite scarce first edition in 2 volumes, the contents are complete, meeting collation: [2], 151-786 p, 787-801 [i.e. 802] leaves, 803-894, [52] p. with engraved title page, plus many woodcuts by Christoph Schweitzer. Inscriptions on title page are "The History of Great Britaine Under The Conquests of Ye Romans, Saxons, Danes and Normans: Their Originals, Manners, Warres, Coines & Seales: With Ye Successions, Lives, Acts & Issues of The English Monarchs from Julius Cćsar, to Our Most Gracious Sovereign King James. By John speed imprinted at London: [by William Hall and John Beale] anno cum privilegio 1611 and are to be Solde by John Sudbury & George Humble, in Popes-Head Alley at ye signed of Ye White Horse". Offered here is a very good and complete copies of the first edition of John Speed's monumental 'History of Great Britaine', published in London in 161 large folio bound into two volumes, in period calf boards, re-backed it would appear circa late 19th century. marbled endpapers. page edges red. The books measure 18¼" x 11½" & over 2" thick. A substantial and heavy pair of volumes weighing approx 10kgs packed. (2 books) (John Speed (1552-1629), historian and noted cartographer, became a member of the society of antiquaries and, encouraged by Camden and other scholars, began his greatest historical work, the History of Great Britain under the conquests of ye Romans, Saxons, Danes and Normans etc, published in 1611 and reprinted in 1623, 1632, 1650, and 1676) (2)