[Romulus and Tarquin].

first edition in English

The first edition in English of these separately-printed histories of the legendary Roman kings Romulus and Tarquin, respectively the founding monarch and final king of Rome, whose cruel reign led to the establishment of the Roman Republic in 509 BC.

The author, Virigilio Malvezzi (1595-1654), was born into a noble Bolognese family. He had a brief career as a soldier in the Spanish service during the Thirty Years War before returning to Bologna where he published his history of Romulo in 1629 and Tarquino il Superbo in 1632. A biography of the Spanish chief minister Olivares won him recognition and further service at the court of King Philip IV.

'Carey's translations were relevant to the times, being concerned with wars, international and civil, and the use of power. He chose to translate works that he considered would act as examples to others. For example, Romulus and Tarquin (1637), first written in Italian by Virgilio Malvezzi, was dedicated to Charles I and was intended to act "as a glass wherein you may see your soul". Carey wished to show the tragedy of war and claimed that the works translated were chosen for the public good' (ODNB).

First edition in English; 12mo (14.5 x 9 cm); engraved additional title, 'HCL' on letterpress title is a xylographic monogram, woodcut initials, head and tailpieces, ownership inscription in pen to early free endpapers which have been retained, pencil note to rear, light dampstaining to lower margin of final few gatherings, otherwise a nice clean example; modern vellum-backed marbled paper boards, later endpapers (although retaining earlier endpapers as noted above), MS title inscription to spine, very good; [12], 299, [1]pp.

ESTC S111904; STC 17219.