Very early newsbook from the English Civil War...

Item # 692436

July 23, 1643

MERCURIUS AULICUS, Communicating the Intelligence and affaires of the Court, to the rest of the Kingdome. (Oxford), the nine and twentieth Weeke, (July 16-23, 1643).
This is a very early newsbook, predecessors of today's newspapers being somewhat of a transitional publication between pamphlets & newspapers, but defined specifically as periodicals by having a set period of issuance, being consecutively numbered, and dated on a regular interval.
This was a pro-Royal title. Unlike virtually all other newsbook titles of the English Civil War era, this was published in Oxford rather than London, Oxford being the headquarters for the king at that time. And being from the early period of the English Civil War (1642-1651) there is a wealth of war-related content. One paragraph begins: "This day were brought to towne in testimony of those signall victories, which His Majesties forces in the West had lately gotten on the Rebels...". All reports can be seen in the photos.
The Oxford imprint and the year of publication were never printed in this issue. But included are pages from the book 'The Beginnings of the English Newspaper 1620-1660' by Joseph Frank which not only verify this newsbook was published in Oxford, and that the first issue was January 1, 1643, but also provide nice commentary on the history of this title. Projecting forward from week one (January 1, 1643) it is easily determined this issue is April 16-23, 1643, and the datelines of the news reports given credence to this as well.
Complete in 16 pages, 5 1/2 by 6 3/4 inches, ample margins, nice condition.