scarce in commerce

The first edition of the most important Sixteenth-century work on London, a vital source for all interested in city-life in the Elizabethan age.

The Survay begins with a discussion of the antiquity of the city. After treating of major features, London Bridge, the Thames, the city wall, towers, castles and gates, he processes through the metropolis by wards. He also describes the ancient sports and games of London as well as parish churches, hospitals and leper houses. The work provides 'an exhaustive and invaluable record of Elizabethan London' (ODNB).

John Stow (d.1605), chronicler and antiquary, formed a considerable collection of documents, charters and manuscripts relating to English history and was part of the first flowering of antiquarianism in the circle that included Camden, Lambard and Fleetwood. This was to be 'his last great publication... embodying a lifetime of loving observation and research in his native city... Stow was obviously a most important figure in the story of Elizabethan historical publishing, and the continued reprints of his work reflect this' (Bennett, English Books and Readers, p.217).

The work 'contains much matter of great interest and value and is worthy to rank with the topographical works of Lambard and Carew as one of the foundations of English county history' (Pforzheimer). Pforzhemier speculates that the gap in the pagination toward the end of the work may indicate a different ending was originally intended, perhaps without the apologie.

First edition, second issue; 4to (19.5 x 15 cm); errata to verso of 2H10 and lattice device to recto, printer's device to title, ownership inscription in pen to upper margin, occasional pen annotations to margins, small paper flaw to lower corner of P1 and last 2ff of text, moderate toning; modern blind-tooled calf, spine lettered in gilt, very good; [8], 450, 467-480, 465-483, [1]pp.

ESTC S117887; Pforzheimer 992.