The Antient and Present State of the County of Down. Containing a Chorographical Description with the Natural and Civil History of the Same. by Harris, Walter

Dublin: Printed by A. Reilly, For Edward Exshaw, 1744. xx, 271pp, [21]. With a large engraved folding map. Contemporary tree-calf, contrasting red morocco lettering-piece, gilt. Lightly rubbed. Later armorial bookplate to FEP M.A. of Dublin, and a member of the Irish Bar, Daniel De La Cherois (1825- 1905) of Donaghadee, County Down, inked ownership inscription to head of title: 'Danl. De La Cherois / Donaghadee 29 Decr. 1859', typed note (signed by De La Cherois) tipped-in to p. 252, manuscript annotation to p.253, very occasional spotting. The first edition of an authoritative survey of County Down, the first history of its kind in Ireland, co-authored by topographer Charles Smith (c. 1715-1762) and historian Walter Harris (1686-1761). The work, dedicated to Sir Hans Sloane, was intended to be the first in of a series and, in order to facilitate this objective, Smith, with others, founded the Physico-Historical Society in Dublin in May, 1744. Under the auspices of the society, he published… Read More

Dublin: Printed by A. Reilly, for Edward Exshaw,, 1744. The first county history of its kind in Ireland First edition of The Antient and Present State, here combined unusually with the first London edition of its parent work, A Topographical and Chorographical Survey, presented in a very well preserved plain period binding. Charles Smith (c. 1715 - 1762), the moving force behind this important book, could be described as an Irish John Aubrey, being an "itinerant enquirer" into topographical, historical, and antiquarian information for the counties of Munster. In May 1744, along with a group of like-minded individuals he founded the Physico-Historical Society in Dublin, and under their auspices published two similar works on Waterford and Cork. Following a split with the society in 1750 he continued his surveying work and issued a further volume on Kerry (accounts of Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary, were left in manuscript). ODNB describes the present work, which is dedicated to Sir Hans Sloane, as… Read More

Dublin, Ireland: A. Reilly, 1744. First Edition. Leather-bound. Very Good. Small octavo, 5 x 8 in., pp. xvii + 2 (Contents) + 271 + [1] + 20 (unpaginated Index). Illustrated with fold-out map (16 x 11.5 inches) of the county of Down, Full calf with gilt double frame to front and rear boards, and gilt title on red morocco label to rebacked spine. Five raised bands to spine. Gilt board edges. Publisher's red stain to edges. Light rubbing to extremities. Unmarked bookplate with coat of arms and the motto "Acuspide Corona" ("from the spear, a crown") to front pastedown. Age-toning to pages. Map has light age-toning and small creases and two 1/2 inch closed tears to bottom right. ESTC T144670. Bookplate motto and heraldic coat of arms corresponds to Brodrick, Viscount Midleton. Smith, Charles (1715?-1762), apothecary, topographer, and writer, was born in Co. Waterford. Details of his life remain obscure, but he was educated in medicine and worked as an apothecary in Lismore (1739-44) and Dungarvan, Co.… Read More