The Second Volume of the Ecclesiastical History: containing the ACTS AND MONUMENTS OF MARTYRS.

Folio, 395x255mm (15½"x10"). "With A General Discourse of the later Persecutions, horrible Troubles and Tumults, stirred up by Romish Prelates in the Church. With Divers other Things incident to the Realm of England and Scotland. Recognized and Enlarged by the Author, Mr. John Fox." Vol 2 (of 3) comprising The Seventh Book, Beginning with the Reign of King Henry the Eighth, The Eighth Book continuing the History of the English matters appertaining to both States, as well Ecclesiastical, as Civil and Temporal, and The Ninth Book (paginated separately), containing The Acts and things done in the Reign of King Edward the Sixth. Title-page with double-ruled border. pp(2)551(1),131(1) plus later single blank preliminary & final leaves; with plate 'The Description of Windsor Castle' and close to 40 engravings in two-column text. Top edge gilt. Title-page a little toned & handling-marked towards fore- & lower edges; only borders affected by missing segment of height 45mm & width up to 48mm at lower outer corner, from curved edge of which a short closed tear; curved crease of length 150mm across lower inner corner, affecting borders and one word of imprint; minor worm damage in lower margin in form of cluster of small holes & short trails. Further minor worm damage in lower margins up to page 280 at same positions as title-page, in form of 1, 2 or 3 small holes and/or single trails varying from short & narrow to length 10mm & width 1mm / cluster of a few tiny holes at lower edges from page 389 disappearing by page 439 / single hole in lower margins from page 13 9th Book, becoming trail of length 4mm by page 65, developing into trail of length 10mm & width just over 1mm just reaching final lines of text on 5 pages up to page 90, thereafter reduced to 2 small holes up to page 100 and single hole as far as final printed leaf. Three leaves holed (not by worm): hole of length 8mm & width up to 2mm at pages 21/22 7th Book, affecting single word on page 21 only / small burn-hole at pages 139/140, affecting single word on page 139 and two on page 140 / hole of diameter 4mm at pages 91/92 9th Book, affecting single word on page 91 and engraving on page 92. One leaf - pages 497/498 - with 2 closed tears of lengths 65mm & 45mm from upper & lower edges respectively; a few fore-edge margins with short closed tears & associated creases. Occasional minor loss & minor dampstains confined to margins; a few more extensive but very faint dampstains affecting text, that at pages 483/484 deeper in tone but with minimal effect on appearance. A few corner creases confined to margins, a few creased and/or furled corner tips. Two short strips of white paper applied as repairs to blank areas of 9th Book page 1, no effect on text overleaf. Contents otherwise faintly toned, slightly more deeply so in fore-edge margins, and with occasional isolated spots. Fore- & lower edges of text-block a little toned. Late-19th / early-20th century half tan morocco, stamp "Bound by Ramage London" at lower edge of verso of front flyleaf. Spine with 5 raised bands, and title, volume number, publishing date, and rules & decorations in gilt. Marbled paper-covered boards. Marbled endpapers, armorial bookplate on front pastedown. Spine a little rubbed at head & foot. Parts of the two uppermost spine compartments and adjacent parts of hide overlapping hinges stained to a little deeper tone, minimal effect on appearance. Boards slightly rubbed, light wear at tips of outer corners. Front flyleaf detached. Binding holding firmly and of handsome appearance; contents complete, and generally clean & tight. VERY GOOD copy.…