Evelyn’s Classic 1697 Work on English Medals

Evelyn, John. NUMISMATA. A DISCOURSE OF MEDALS, ANTIENT AND MODERN. TOGETHER WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF HEADS AND EFFIGIES OF ILLUSTRIOUS, AND FAMOUS PERSONS, SCULPS, AND TAILLE-DOUCE, OF WHOM WE HAVE NO MEDALS EXTANT; AND OF THE USE TO BE DERIVED FROM THEM. TO WHICH IS ADDED A DIGRESSION CONCERNING PHYSIOGNOMY. London: Benj. Tooke, 1697. Tall 4to [31.5 by 21 cm], contemporary Cambridge paneled calf, front with I PHELIPPS / Y centered in gilt with floral decorations following each word; spine with five raised bands; red spine label lettered in gilt; board edges decorated in gilt; all page edges speckled. (8), 342, (14) pages; title printed in red and black; fine engravings of the obverses and reverses of 97 English coins and medals in the text, including what is thought to be the earliest depiction of the St. Patrick’s coinage on page 133. Binding scuffed; expertly repaired, most notably at the lower right corner of the front board, and almost invisibly rebacked. Slight marginal discoloration on first ten leaves; marginal wax stain on a few leaves later in the volume; light discoloration along top margin towards end. Despite these minor shortcomings, the volume as a whole is most attractive and nearly fine. The first major history of English medals written in English. “Evelyn’s curiosity was unquenchable, and he was already an old man when he began in 1692 to collect notes for a work on medals. He had found that little had been written on the subject in English and, animated by a considerable regard for portraits and portraiture, sought in his Numismata to remedy this defect.” — Keynes. The result was a handsome work with excellent engravings of medals. It is thought that the engraving of a St. Patrick’s copper on page 133 is the earliest depiction of these pieces. This copy is ex Rev. John Phelips (died 1766), Vicar of Yeovil, and bears his charming ownership mark on the front cover. Much of Phelips’s library remained at Newton Surmaville in Somerset, home of the Harbin family for nearly 400 years until both it and the library were sold in 2007. Bassoli 33. Dekesel E28, Issue III (plate LXXXI printed as appropriate on page 146; the first issue had plate LXXIX printed for a second time in place of LXXXI, which was subsequently corrected with a printed overslip). Hirsch 37. Lipsius 118. Manville 72. Modesti 733. Strandberg 64.