Dairy and Correspondence of Samuel Pepys (1890)

Complete in four volumes, with Braybrooke's notes

Author

Publisher

Printing Details

Four volumes (complete). Hardback, bound in the original blue cloth with gilt titling to spine. Top edge gilt. Each 22.5 × 14.5cm. Vol 1: viii +551pp, vol 2: 471pp, vol 3: 499pp, vol 4: 567pp (includes index).

This set presents a reprint of Braybrooke's 1848–1849, with, thankfully, an index. Samuel Pepys' diary was written in shorthand between 1660 and 1669 and not deciphered until 1825 when it was published in parts, and never intended for the public eye. It not only presents a vivid picture of an age, but also a uniquely uninhibited and spontaneous revelation of its author's life and character. As well as daily life in London, Pepys's documents the Restoration of King Charles II, the 1665 Great Plague, and the 1666 Great Fire of London.

Condition

A good set. There is light rubbing to the boards, with a small dent to the front joint of volume one. There is some scattered foxing to the page edges but the main body of text is in very good condition for age and remains in strong readable condition. The inner binding is secure with just a little movement. A heavy set at over 4kg.