ANSTIS, John

Register of the Most Noble Order of the Garter

      1724. FIRST EDITION. ANSTIS, John. The Register of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, From its Cover in Black Velvet; Usually Called the Black Book!. London: John Barber, 1724. Two volumes. Folio, contemporary full brown calf rebacked, black morocco spine labels, marbled endpapers. $2200. Scarce first edition of this record of the most honored of chivalric orders, illustrated with numerous copper-engravings including a frontispiece in each volume; intricate vignettes, tailpieces and historiated initials throughout; twelve plates, including nine full-page depictions of heraldry, in Volume II; and two large, folding scenes of court life in Volume I. Founded by Edward III in 1348, the Order of the Garter is "considered the highest British honor. Legend holds that it was created after an incident in which Edward was dancing with the Countess of Salisbury, when one of her garters dropped to the floor. As bystanders snickered, Edward gallantly picked up the garter and put it on his own leg, admonishing the courtiers in French with what is now the order's motto, 'Honi soit qui mal y pense' ('Shame to him who thinks evil of it')" (Britannica). These volumes, illustrated with numerous copper-engravings including nine full-page armorial plates and two folding scenes of court life, present the history of the Order, documented with extensive membership lists, genealogies and descriptions of ceremony and ritual. A heraldic writer and Garter king of arms, Anstis was in 1715 "suspected of intriguing in the cause of the Pretender, and with other gentlemen was thrown into prison! While Anstis was in prison the office of Garter became vacant by the death of Sir Henry St. George. Sir John Vanbrugh, Clarencieux king-at-arms, was appointed to the vacancy, Anstis' claims being set aside. But Anstis would not submit to this arrangement. He cleared himself of the charge of treasonable practices, and then proceeded to prosecute his claims with the utmost vigor! After much delay the controversy was at last terminated! in favor of Anstis! Shortly before the death of George I, [Anstis] received a patent under the great seal securing the office to himself and his eldest son and the survivor of them! Anstis was a man of the greatest learning and industry! Pope alludes to Anstis in the Imitations of Horace: 'A man of wealth is dubbed a man of worth, Venus shall give him form, and Anstis birth'; and Prior mentions him in an epigram: 'But coronets we owe to crowns, and favor to a court's affection. By nature we are Adam's sons, and sons of Anstis by election'" (DNB). Lowndes, 50. Allibone, 65. Brunet I:306n. Graesse I:41. Occasional small ink marginalia. Scattered light foxing. Mild age-wear, light discoloration to contemporary calf. A near-fine copy. Scarce.