315. [Buchanan (George)] Ane Detectioun of the duinges of Marie Quene of Scottes, touchand the murder of hir husband, and hir conspiracie, adulterie, and pretensed mariage with the Erle Bothwell, first English edition , with the final f. of prose, often missing, predominantly black letter, title with woodcut typographic device and the author’s name in ink in an 18th century hand, woodcut initials, 18th century ink ms. notes to front free endpaper regarding the edition of the work and an ink ms. copy of the printed title bound in at beginning, single small wormhole to lower margin of A2-F2, ocasionally touching signatures, A1 with minor loss to upper corner, not affecting text, some staining to sigs. A-C, final prose f. spotted and with small loss to lower corner, not affecting text, some other light browning or soiling, modern polished calf, spine gilt, [STC 3981; Pforzheimer 113], small 8vo, [John Day], [1571].
est. £1500 – £2000
Rare. Buchanan’s infamous treatise on the murder of Mary’s husband, Henry, Lord Darnley, and on her marriage to The Earl of Bothwell. It is the first printing of the fraudulent “Casket Letters”, which eventually led to the trial and execution of Mary in February, 1586, at Fotheringhay.
There are 2 variant titles. This has the title without the misprints “ctioun” and “aurhaoritie”.