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Very early newsbook from the English Civil War... The capture of Reading...
Very early newsbook from the English Civil War... The capture of Reading...
Item # 692439
April 30, 1643
MERCURIUS AULICUS, Communicating the Intelligence and affaires of the Court, to the rest of the Kingdome. (Oxford), The seventeenth Weeke, (April 23-30, 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.
Perhaps the most notable content is the report of the capture of Reading by the Royals, the report beginning: "This day began with the newes that his Majesties forces had relieved Rereading, and put into the same 16 barrels of powder..." with the report also including the six articles of capitulation (see photos). There is also front page reference to the siege of Reading.
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 23-30, 1643, and the datelines of the news reports given credence to this as well.
Complete in 16 pages, 5 1/2 by 7 1/4 inches, ample margins, great condition.
Category: The 1600's and 1700's
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$794.00
