A PERFECT DIURNALL OF THE PASSAGES IN PARLIAMENT, London, November 14, 1642. This is a particularly rare newspaper/newsbook as it has a terrific and quite detailed woodblock engraving of the members of Parliament sitting around a table (see photos). This engraving did not appear in all issues of this title as we have sold many without it.
Newsbooks were the predecessors of today's newspapers, being somewhat of a transitional item between pamphlets & newspapers, but defined specifically as periodicals by having a set period of issuance, being consecutively numbered, and dated on a regular interval.
From the English Civil War, this issue begins on the front page with: "This morning his Excellency the Earle of Essex with his Army came to London, having laine Ethe night before at Highgate, and billited his forces in & about London..." which carries over to page 2. Military reports continue to consume essentially the entire issue, much of which can be seen in the photos below.
A handsome issue for display with this rare wood engraving on the front page, complete in 8 pages, measures 6 by 7 3/4 inches and in very nice, clean condition.