Books: 1762 Machiavelli, Dromoland Castle

Machiavelli, Niccolo (1469-1527) The Works. London: for Thomas Davies, et al. Published 1762. First edition of the Ellis Farneworth (d. 1763) translation, two quarto volumes. Original bookplates of Sir Lucius O'Brien, Baronet. Part of a collection of books from Dromoland Castle in today's sale.

Provenance: Dromoland Castle, County Clare, Ireland. From the library of Sir Edward O'Brien, 2nd Baronet (1705-1765), inherited by his son, Sir Lucius O'Brien, 3rd Baronet (1731-1795), then by his son, Sir Edward O'Brien, 4th Baronet (1773-1837). The library was pretty much intact until 1962, when Donough O'Brien, the 16th Baron Inchiquin, was forced to sell the castle and its contents at public auction. The December 1962 sale -- conducted by James Adams & Sons of Dublin -- was attended by Gioia Marconi Braga, the daughter of Beatrice O'Brien and inventor Guglielmo Marconi. O'Brien was the daughter of the 14th Baron Inchiquin (1839-1900). Braga purchased a number of volumes from the auction and brought them to the U.S. Thence by descent in the family.

Condition: Very fine condition, with slight wear on marbled boards. Original tooled leather spines and corners. Pages generally bright, with some foxing, but no serious toning. Straight, with no turning or any other serious issues.