Samuel Clarke Generall Martyrologie, Containing a Collection...

Estimate

£500 - £700

Samuel Clarke Generall Martyrologie, Containing a Collection Of All the greatest Persecutions which have befallen the Church of Christ from the Creation to our present times. 'Whereunto are added, The Lives of Sundry Modern Divines, Famous in their Generations for Learning and Piety, and most of them great Sufferers in the Cause of Christ,' first edition, rebacked with new marbled boards and label to spine, original red and black printed title page backed onto modern laid paper, ten plates showing various tortures (or deaths), some watermarks, finger soiling, and burn holes, p.230 and plate 7 with contemporary ink marginalia, pp.520, a generally good text block, Printed by A.M. for Thomas Underhill and John Rothwell, London, 1651. This scarce first edition is notable for its graphic illustrations depicting the sufferings of martyrs, reflecting the religious violence of the times. These images serve as a visual representation of the brutalities endured by Christians and highlight the inventive forms of torture inflicted upon them.