John Jones (active 1562-1579) The Bathes of Bathes Ayde. London: [by Thomas East] for William Jones, 1572.

Lot description

John Jones (active 1562-1579) The Bathes of Bathes Ayde. London: [by Thomas East] for William Jones, 1572. First separate edition, quarto, title within border of type ornaments; large woodcut of a dragon with a gauntlet in its jaws on verso of title (title stained and repaired, other paper repairs to subsequent leaves); 2 folding tables lacking and supplied in facsimile; bound in modern full speckled calf; ex libris Byam Martin Davies (1840-1924) with his armorial engraved bookplate inside front board; water stained throughout; 7 3/4 x 5 3/4 in. STC 14724a.3; ESTC S107904, locating 3 copies in U.S. libraries. This rare work by 16th century physician, John Jones, describes the curative powers of the hot spring-fed baths from which the town in England earned its name. These days, no one is permitted to take the waters in Bath because the spring hosts a brain-eating amoeba.