An attractive example of the first edition of James Howell’s account of the history of London with the folding panorama of London by Wenceslaus Hollar. A second edition dated the same year bears an alternate imprint lacking the name of Thomas Dring. This is only the second work to discuss the history of London following that of John Stow in 1598. Drawing on the former work it discusses along with its history, the geography, and its political structure. It discusses London Bridge, St. Paul’s Church, the city guilds, and its Wards. Preliminary matter commences with a poem in Latin on London Bridge with an English translation on the verso. There is a contents leaf listing 20 items. A final chapter provides a ‘Parallel By way of Corollary, betwixt London, and Other great Cities of the World’. An index and list of other works by the author conclude the book. Rebound in the eighteenth century, it lacks the first leaf, a frontispiece portrait. Upcott states that the gap in pagination in the middle is ‘perhaps attributed to the Book being printed at different Offices’.

The fine panorama from the south bank extends from Whitehall to St. Katherine to the east of the Tower of London. Four theatres are illustrated in the foreground; ‘Swan’, ‘Bear Garden’, ‘Globe’, and one unnamed. The presence of the Swan alongside other inconsistencies has confused authorities as it had disappeared by 1632, some years earlier. Hollar had already since then produced a more up-to-date panorama in 1647. Darlington and Howgego doubted the attribution to Hollar, however it is listed in Pennington who is considered an authority on Hollar. The high ground of ‘Harrowe’, ‘Hamsted’, ‘Hygate’, and ‘Hackney’ are identified in the background. A key along the bottom identifies 46 features. A fine title cartouche is flanked by two lions and surmounted by the arms of the city.

James Howell (c.1594-1666) was the son of a Welsh clergyman. Graduating from Jesus College, Oxford, he became an historian and writer. He travelled extensively in Europe and was able to speak several languages. He published several tracts and became the first writer to earn his living solely from writing in the English language. Provenance: Marlborough Rare Books 1970s; private English collection. Adams (1983) 7; Anderson (1966) p. 178, Darlington & Howgego (1978) p. 8; ESTC R13420; Grolier 487, ODNB; Pforzheimer 515; Upcott (1978) pp. 674-5.