Russia
[PETER THE GREAT] - CONSETT, Thomas.
The Present State and Regulations of the Church of Russia. [...] Also in the Second Volume a Collection of several Tracts relating to [the Tsar's] Fleets, Expeditions to Derbent, &c.
S. Holt for J. Brotherton, Thomas Meighan, A. Miller and Fr. Hildyard, London and York, 1729. 2 parts in 1 volume 8vo (19.4 x 12 cm). lxxvi, 202; 203-455 pp. with a folding engraved map and historiated woodcut headpieces including one repeated signed "FH". Contemporary speckled calf, double gilt fillet to covers, spine with raised bands and gilt fillets, speckled edges; lightly rubbed at extremities.
FINE COPY OF THE FIRST EDITION of these early Russian documents by Stefan Yavorskiy, Feofan Prokopovich and others, translated into English and accompanied by a long preface and notes by Consett. Still a valuable source book, it is uncommon and "can fairly lay claim to being the first scholarly work on Russia ever published in English" (Cracraft). The lovely engraved map shows the Caspian Sea with panoramic views of Astrakhan, Terky and Derbent. It illustrates the interesting second part of the work, dealing with Peter the Great's innovative naval policies and expeditions, with the following preface: 'An Account of the Rise of the Naval Power in Russia. Or the Story of the Little Boat, Which Gave Rise to the Russian Fleet'. Cracraft, 'For God and Peter the Great: The Works of Thomas Consett, 1723-1729'; Crowther 1223; Fekula 2017.
Price: £ 1750
US Dollar Price: $ 3470
Stock Number: 72653