An Ordinance by the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament, for the Preservation and Keeping together for Publique Use, such Books, Evidenees [sic], Records and Writings Sequestred or taken by Distresse or Otherwise, as are fit to be so Preserved by [ORDINANCE FOR THE PRESERVATION OF LIBRARIES] - 1643

London: Printed for Edw. Husbands, 1643, 1643. First edition. ESTC R17603; Wing E1780. Top margins trimmed closely, partially shaving the page numbers; edges of the final leaf a little toned and slightly chipped at the edges, and with a neat repair with two words in manuscript facsimile; very good copy.. Small 4to, modern black quarter morocco, decorated paper boards, gilt lettering. Title within a typographical border, woodcut head-piece and initial, text in black letter, eight pages. An interesting document issued 18 November 1643, at the beginning of the English Civil War, that called for the protection and preservation of libraries and archives from sale or dispersal by the Committees for Sequestration, which were confiscating estates and assets of the Royalists. The ordinance denounces as "prejudiciall to the publique" any "dispersing by sale or otherwise" of books seized by the parliamentary Committees for Sequestration, whether "Manuscripts or written Bookes, proceedings of Courts, evidences of Lands ..." or "whole Libraries, and choice Collections of printed Bookes." The ordinance declared that before any seized books could be sold, they must first be examined by a committee (among whose members were Gilbert Millington, John Selden, Francis Rous and Sir Simonds D'Ewes), and, if considered of importance, should be inventoried and deposited in a proper place for public use. Armorial bookplate on the front paste-down.