Eikon Basilike. The Pourtraicture of His Sacred Majestie... King Charles I — Early Issue (Madan 125)

£700.00

Eikon Basilike. The Pourtraicture of His Sacred Majestie... King Charles I — Early Issue (Madan 125)

Name: Eikon Basilike. The Pourtraicture of His Sacred Majestie... King Charles I — Early Issue (Madan 125)
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4266
Price: 700.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Eikon Basilike. The Pourtraicture of His Sacred Majestie in His Solitudes and Sufferings, King Charles I — Early Issue (Madan 125)

Publication: [London], [Secretly Printed], 1649

Formatting: 8vo, complete pagination unverified from plates.

Condition Report:Very Good. The later half-leather binding over marbled boards is tight and structurally sound, though it exhibits moderate rubbing and wear to the extremities, particularly at the spine ends and leather corners. The spine retains a degree of its original luster with visible, albeit slightly dulled, gilt bands and titling. Internally, the text block remains well-preserved for its age, featuring typical age-toning and occasional scattered foxing. The crucial William Marshall folding emblematic frontispiece is present and remains largely crisp, with only minor creasing and very faint edge-wear, free of major tears. The title page is intact with a small early ink signature at the upper margin, alongside an isolated dark stain at the extreme upper-left gutter that does not encroach upon the text. The armorial bookplate is securely affixed to the front pastedown, and the hinges remain strong without cracking.

Catalogue Note: A notable early printing of the famed Royalist text, specifically identified in bibliographies as Madan 125. Released in the immediate wake of the King's execution, the book functioned as a powerful piece of propaganda, transforming the fallen monarch into a Christian martyr.

This copy is distinguished by the inclusion of the celebrated folding frontispiece engraved by William Marshall. The emblematic illustration, depicting the King kneeling, casting aside his earthly crown in favour of a heavenly one, became one of the most enduring and widely reproduced political images of the seventeenth century.

The volume features appealing provenance, bearing the armorial bookplate of Thomas Weld-Blundell of Ince Blundell, a member of an established English Catholic family, alongside a modest early ink signature to the title page. While the text was an immediate bestseller, surviving early issues complete with the Marshall plate and in secure bindings remain highly desirable on the open antiquarian market. An undated vintage newspaper clipping regarding Richard Brandon, the purported executioner of Charles I, is also loosely inserted.

Published mere days after his execution, the Eikon Basilike (The Royal Portrait) purports to be the spiritual autobiography of King Charles I. Often attributed to the ghostwriting of Bishop John Gauden, this masterstroke of Royalist propaganda portrays the doomed monarch not as a defeated tyrant, but as a pious martyr enduring his suffering with Christ-like grace. Featuring William Marshall’s iconic emblematic frontispiece, this book became an underground sensation that defined the memory of the Stuart king and profoundly shaped the cultural landscape of the English Civil War era.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: King Charles I; John Gauden

Book Publisher: N/A

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: History

Book edition:

Signed: No

Book Pages:

Book Publication Year: 1649

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover (Half Leather)

Illustrator: William Marshall

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.

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