The works of the famous. . . citizen and secretary of Florence. Written originally in Italian. . . [The history of Florence. . . ]; [The Prince, together with the original. . .]; [The discourses of . . . ]; [The art of war. . . ]. by MACHIAVELLI, Nicholas [Niccolo] - 1720.

London: Printed by T.W. for A. Churchill, R. Bonwick, T. Goodwin, J. Walthoe, et al., 1720. Four vols. in one. Tall 4to. [24], 543, [1] pp. Woodcut devices on titles, woodcut head- and tail-pieces, woodcut decorated initials. Contemporary speckled calf, gilt ruling around fore-edges of covers, rebacked in brown morocco, raised bands, original red & gilt morocco spine label laid-back down (some scuffing & wear to fore-edges, wear to corners, minor toning to endpapers), still a VG- copy, w/ contemporary ownership inscription of Charles Mason, as well as April, 1955 bookseller’s catalogue entry for Argosy Books. Third edition in English of Machiavelli’s works, which were originally published in 1675. Churchill was a major supporter of King William of Orange, and supported the supplanting of King James. Although originally published in 1674, Churchill clearly supported William by publishing Machiavelli’s works in 1695, and then again in 1720, stressing to his colleagues that William was more daring and resolute than his predecessors, and worthy of being considered a Machiavellian prince. Henry Neville (1620-1694), was the unnamed translator of this influential English edition, whose aim was to present Machiavelli as advising Princes who tyrannize to reform, and not cause men to rebel. See: Joad Raymond, News Networks in Seventeenth Century Britain and Europe, pp. 134-136; Allen, Machiavelli and modernity: the strength of justice.