The History of Jane Shore, Mistress to Edward IV, King of England; with an Account of Her Untimely End. To Which is Added, The Irish Freebooter: or, Surprising Adventures of Captain Redmond O'Hanlan, A Celebrated Robber

Philadelphia: Freeman Scott, ca. 1825. First American edition. Hardcover. N.d. (circa 1825). Presumed first American edition. 24mo. in ornately printed paper covered boards with "Philadelphia Edition" on front board and woodcut of a sidewheeler steamboat flying an American flag on the rear board. (2) 72 pp. (2). Even soiling to the covers, rounded corners and some rubbing to the spine extremities (overall about very good). Early ownership signatures on front free endpaper and first blank as well as the rear blank. Rear free endpaper mostly adheared to the rear pastedown. Very scarce, OCLC locates only one copy. Sensationalist account, first published in England in pamphlet form, of Jane Shore (c.1445-c.1527) one of Edward IV's many mistresses as well as lover of other prominent Englishmen of the day. She began her liason with the King in about 1476; she exerted great influence over him but refused to use that influence for personal gain; she remained a favorite of his until his death in 1483. She was later improsoned and forced to do public penance by Richard III. To this, the American edition, is appended the story of Irish "freebooter" (outlaw) Count Redmond O'Hanlan. Thought of today as the Irish equivalent of Robin Hood; he was in actuality a dispossessed member of Gaelic gentry who reputedly extorted money from locals and travellers for safe conduct. He was murdered while sleeping in 1681. Very Good. Item #E15695

Price: $325.00