Memoires Relating to the State of the Royal Navy of England, for Ten Years, Determin'd December 1688.
Samuel Pepys
First edition, issue intended for private distribution with the "Printed Anno MDCXC" imprint.
The only work Pepys published in his lifetime, and written at the encouragement of his friend John Evelyn after retiring from his position as Secretary of the Navy in 1688, the “Memoires” provide a detailed and critical history of the Royal Navy during the ten years leading up to the Glorious Revolution. “Upon this he lavished a great deal of thought and care. It represents a side of Pepy's life which is apt to be ignored" (Pforzheimer 793).
[London]: Printed MDCXC [1690]. 8vo, bound in speckled calf, neatly rebacked to style with 5 raised bands to spine, spine label titled and ruled in gilt; engraved frontispiece portrait, folding sheet of accounts at page 152-3. pp. [iv], 214, [18]. With the usual manuscript corrections, either done in Pepys’ hand or under his direction. Binding remains firm, a bit of wear and rubbing to covers. Internally quite clean, with contemporary ownership inscription to title, scattered foxing, small closed tear to last page. To the verso of the second blank is a full page inscription with additional historical notes, in an unknown hand.