CHURCHILL, Sir Winston (1620-1688). Divi Britannici: Being a Remark Upon the Lives of all the Kings of this Isle, from the year of the World 2855 unto the year of Grace 1660. London: Tho. Roycroft, 1675.

First edition of a famous history of England, in full contemporary morocco with the arms of the dedicatee Charles II. Sir Winston Churchill, father to the first Duke of Marlborough and ancestor of his 20th-century namesake, was an ardent Royalist who wrote this history while living in seclusion during the Commonwealth. "Churchill's extreme royalist sentiments led him to devote his learning and leisure to the composition of a kind of apotheosis of the kings of England, which he dedicated to Charles II, and published in 1675." (DNB). ESTC R3774; Wing C-4275.

Folio (360 x 218mm). Engraved title vignette and numerous engraved heraldic devices (some light staining, one small marginal chip). Contemporary red morocco, covers with gilt panels enclosing the gilt arms of Charles II, spine with black morocco lettering piece, edges gilt (repair to spine ends, light wear to edges, minor splitting at joints). Provenance: William Legge, 1672-1750, 1st Earl of Dartmouth (inscribed "Dartmouth" on verso of title) – Major J.R. Abbey, 1894-1969, noted bibliophile (bookplate) – Christie’s New York, 22 June 2010, lot 168.