Melton (Sir John) A Sixe-folde Politician. Together

Melton (Sir John) A Sixe-folde Politician. Together with a Sixe-folde Precept of Policy, first edition, title within woodcut border, woodcut decorations and initials, text within ruled borders, leaves K3 and N1 blank except for rules, final errata leaf present, title a little soiled, first few leaves slightly frayed at corners, some light foxing and staining, errata leaf with a couple of repairs to verso, 19th century calf, slightly rubbed and soiled, [STC 17805], 8vo, Printed by E. A. for John Busby, 1609.

⁂ Scarce work, erroneously attributed to John Milton (1563-1647), the poet's father. No appearance at auction since 1969. Melton (d.1640) was a politician and author from Yorkshire who made money trading in saltpetre and coal. "Melton married, apparently in 1634, a lady named Currans, who within the space of twelve months presented him with five children, two sons at the first birth, and at the second, in 1635, two sons and a daughter; the latter event she did not survive." (DNB)

Provenance: J. Cresswell (bookplate in the style of Thomas Bewick).