The Prince – Walter Raleigh – 1642 | First Edition | British Politics

Sir Walter Raleigh’s The Prince, not to be confused with Machiavelli’s treatise of the same title, is a 1642 treatise on the nature of royalty, focusing on the qualities that make them a good or bad ruler. Raleigh uses significant moral Christian undertones throughout while leaning on the importance of virtue, justice, and wisdom. He also warns against the dangers of tyranny and the consequences to a kingdom under a tyrannical leader. Many scholars call this work the anti-Machiavellian Prince.

This 1642 first edition was the first edition in book form. Raleigh, who died in 1618, never saw this work published as it only circulated in manuscripts prior to this printing.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Prince: Or Maxims of State
• Author(s): Walter Raleigh
• Illustrator(s):
• Contributor(s):
• Publisher: London
• Edition: First edition, 1642
• Format: (12mo), single volume
• Binding: Red leather spine with marbled boards
• Size:  7 in x 5.25 in (17.8 cm x 13.3 cm)
• Collation: 46 pp
• Illustrations:
• Contents Include:
  • Short political treatise on monarchy
  • Statements on justice and leadership
  • Warnings about tyranny and corruption
• Provenance: provenance
• Reference(s): Wing R 177

Condition:

Very Good. Bound in red leather with marbled boards, tight spine and hinges. Light general age wear to boards. Pages remain clean with some occasional stains. No torn or missing leaves.

Why Collect This?

• First edition printed in 1642
• Authored by Walter Raleigh, prominent Elizabethan figure
• Rare political work during Stuart England
• Anti-Machiavellian perspective

Item Number: # 29285