![STEVENSON, Matthew (d. 1684). The Twelve Moneths: A pleasant and profitable discourse of every action, whether of labour or recreation, proper to each moneth ... As also of recreations as hunting, hawking, fishing, fowling, coursing, cockfighting. London: M. S[immons] for Thomas Fenner, 1661.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2006/CKS/2006_CKS_07300_0551_000(113238).jpg?w=1)
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STEVENSON, Matthew (d. 1684). The Twelve Moneths: A pleasant and profitable discourse of every action, whether of labour or recreation, proper to each moneth ... As also of recreations as hunting, hawking, fishing, fowling, coursing, cockfighting. London: M. S[immons] for Thomas Fenner, 1661.
4° (178 x 128mm). 11 full-page engraved illustrations and one engraved plate. (Occasional light marking, title skilfully repaired at inner margin, some leaves trimmed at head or foot affecting page-number or catchword.) Late 19th-century calf panelled and tooled in blind, morocco lettering-pieces, gilt edges (extremities lightly rubbed, slight cracking to hinges). Provenance: occasional corrections to the text by an early hand.
FIRST AND ONLY EDITION. 'VERY RARE' (Schwerdt). The poet Matthew Stevenson was born in Yorkshire, but spent most of his life in Norfolk, although he is also known to have frequented post-Restoration circles of cavalier wits in London. The Twelve Moneths is a compendium of folklore and oral tradition, Stevenson stating in his preface that: 'I have consulted the most approved authors, and given you here the creame and marrow of their severall experiences in their own expresse characters'. The characteristics and recreations (including the sports) of each month are described and the details of the principal fairs given, followed by an epigram epitomising the month, and each is accompanied by an engraving depicting the month's pastimes and occupations, the zodiac sign and number of days. Harting 32; MacDonald p. 204; Mullens and Swann p. 562; Schwerdt II, p. 225; Westwood and Satchell p. 202; Wing S-5510.
4° (178 x 128mm). 11 full-page engraved illustrations and one engraved plate. (Occasional light marking, title skilfully repaired at inner margin, some leaves trimmed at head or foot affecting page-number or catchword.) Late 19th-century calf panelled and tooled in blind, morocco lettering-pieces, gilt edges (extremities lightly rubbed, slight cracking to hinges). Provenance: occasional corrections to the text by an early hand.
FIRST AND ONLY EDITION. 'VERY RARE' (Schwerdt). The poet Matthew Stevenson was born in Yorkshire, but spent most of his life in Norfolk, although he is also known to have frequented post-Restoration circles of cavalier wits in London. The Twelve Moneths is a compendium of folklore and oral tradition, Stevenson stating in his preface that: 'I have consulted the most approved authors, and given you here the creame and marrow of their severall experiences in their own expresse characters'. The characteristics and recreations (including the sports) of each month are described and the details of the principal fairs given, followed by an epigram epitomising the month, and each is accompanied by an engraving depicting the month's pastimes and occupations, the zodiac sign and number of days. Harting 32; MacDonald p. 204; Mullens and Swann p. 562; Schwerdt II, p. 225; Westwood and Satchell p. 202; Wing S-5510.
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