THE DIARY OF ABRAHAM DE LA PRYME, THE YORKSHIRE ANTIQUARY. Ephemeris Vitae Abrahami Pryme, or A Diary of My Own Life. Containing an Account, Likewise, of the Most Observable and Remarkable Things That I Have Taken Notice of From My Youth Up, Hitherto.

Facsimile edition of the 1870 first edition, published by The Surtees Society. Limited edition. Publisher's original blue morocco, decorated in blind, with four raised bands, gilt titles and five gilt-ruled compartments to the spine, and with the author's family crest and the Wales feathers insignia in gilt to the boards, in the patterned paper slipcase. Marbled endpapers. With two fold-out and two printed family trees, two black and white plates, and with various small black and white illustrations throughout. A lovely fine copy, the binding square and firm, bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout, and without inscriptions or stamps. Housed in the lightly rubbed, structurally sound slipcase, with a short closed tear to the right side. An excellent example.

Issued in a deluxe edition of 120 copies, from which this example is numbered 27. A full list of the subscribers to the facsimile editions follows on from the foreword by librarian Stanley Houghton. Epworth Mechanics' Institute's series of historiographical texts concerning the Isle of Axholme comprises three large volumes, two quartos, and a royal octavo. This republication of Abraham de la Pryme's diary marks only the second time the text has ever been available in print, released 111 years after the first edition. A descendent of the Flemish settlers in the Isle of Axholme region, de la Pryme first began his extensive diary at the age of twelve and continued it until his death in 1704. His considerable research into the history of his birthplace, Hatfield, and the surrounding areas is widely acclaimed, and still considered a valuable resource for local historians today.