{"product_id":"thomas-smith-de-republica-anglorum-1641-elzevir-press-12mo","title":"Thomas Smith, De Republica Anglorum, 1641 — Elzevir Press, 12mo","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDe Republica Anglorum (The Commonwealth of England)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThomas Smith · Leiden · Ex Officina Elzeviriana · 1641\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis small but formidable volume is one of the earliest systematic attempts to explain \u003cem\u003ehow England actually worked\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten by the English scholar and diplomat \u003cstrong\u003eThomas Smith\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cem\u003eDe Republica Anglorum\u003c\/em\u003e is a clear-eyed account of England's political constitution: the balance between monarchy, parliament, law, and custom at a moment when that balance was beginning to fracture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst composed in the late sixteenth century and circulating in manuscript before print, the work became a foundational text for understanding England as a \u003cem\u003emixed constitution\u003c\/em\u003e — neither absolute monarchy nor pure republic, but something historically specific, practical, and evolving.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003e1641 Elzevir edition\u003c\/strong\u003e, printed in Leiden, is especially significant. It appeared on the eve of the English Civil War, when questions of sovereignty, law, and political legitimacy were no longer abstract but urgent and dangerous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePublished outside England by the renowned \u003cstrong\u003eElzevir Press\u003c\/strong\u003e, this edition carried English political thought into a European republic of letters, where it could be read, debated, and compared against continental models of governance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"A snapshot of England before the rupture — explaining a system just as it was about to be tested.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy This Book Matters\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOne of the earliest clear descriptions of England's constitutional structure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCrucial background text for understanding the political ideas behind the English Civil War\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInfluential in later constitutional and political theory in Britain and beyond\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn example of English political thought preserved and disseminated by continental presses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Edition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLeiden: \u003cem\u003eEx Officina Elzeviriana\u003c\/em\u003e, 1641.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Elzevirs were among the most respected printers of the seventeenth century, known for producing compact, elegant, and intellectually serious books for an international readership. Their involvement signals the work's importance beyond England alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLater fine calf binding (probably late 1800s\/early 1900s) with gilt spine label. Internally clean and well-preserved, with expected toning and light wear consistent with age. Early ownership markings present. A solid, attractive survival.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Atelier Zweig Rare Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47052452888764,"sku":null,"price":300.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0736\/1285\/3436\/files\/s-l1600_8449e966-269a-4ce9-b7a0-0391ba375084.jpg?v=1783111631","url":"https:\/\/atelierzweig.com\/products\/thomas-smith-de-republica-anglorum-1641-elzevir-press-12mo","provider":"Atelier Zweig Rare Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}