An Impartial History of Michael Servetus, Burnt Alive at Geneva for Heresie. [Attributed to] Sir Benjamin Hodges. London: for Aaron Ward, 1724, 8vo.
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FIRST EDITION of this extremely rare and very interesting “impartial” history of one of the most contentious events of the Reformation and Counter Reformation time period, also the first written account of this event in English. It naturally includes extensive discussions concerning John Calvin and looks to be a genuinely fascinating work. This copy supposedly lacks a frontispiece, but no copy we can trace actually has one.
A similar (but inferior) copy sold at Bonhams 21 March 2019 lot 545 for $3,570 (alongside three modern related bibliographical works). Their description provided is useful and reads:
“British cardiologist and historian Evan Bedford explained, ‘The first English account of Servetus' life and trial. His passages on the pulmonary circulation are given in Latin and English; also his speech delivered before he was burnt at the stake. The authorship was wrongly attributed by Linde to George Benson. It seems almost certain that the author of this work was Sir Benjamin Hodges.’ Servetus' description of the circulation is printed on pages 65-71 and is derived from William Wooton's work.” The work also includes the final speech of Servetus before he was executed (pp.200-209).
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Size: 127 x 201 mm (approx.)
Condition:
[(1), [1], B-Z4, 2A-2E4, (1)]
Contemporary full calf binding, spine compartments and boards lined in gilt. Binding a little rubbed, but generally very attractive and well preserved with both boards securely attached, the binding secure, stands without shelf lean. No attached bookplates, with some extensive pencil inscriptions to the front blank and an effaced ownership inscription to the head of the title leaf causing some staining to this location and less so to the next leaf (B1), but no further. This copy supposedly lacks a frontispiece, but no copy we can trace actually has one, otherwise the work collates as complete. Generally very clean throughout the text block, some extremely minor scattered staining, but overall a very good copy of this scarce interesting work.
