The Elements of Heraldry

London: Printed for J. Newberry, 1765. First edition. Hardcover. Fair to good condition. Octavo. xx, 199 [1], [40]pp. 23 plates. Original calf with gilt framing on covers, gilt lettering on red leather label, gilt ruling and tooling on spine; raised bands. Frontispiece engraving.

Containing A clear Definition, and concise historical Account of that ancient, useful, and entertaining Science. The Origin, Antiquity, and divers kinds of Coats-of-arms, with their essential and integral Parts considered separately. The several forts of Escutcheons, Tinctures, Charges and Ornaments used for Coats-of-arms. The Marks whereby Bearers of the same Coat-of-arms are distinguished from each other. Charges formed of Ordinaries, Celestial Figures, Vegetables, Artificial and Chimerical Figures. The Laws of Heraldry; practical Directions for Marshaling Coat-of-arms, and the Order of Precedency.

Embellished with several fine cuts, and twenty-four copper plates, containing above five hundred different examples of Escutcheons, Arms, &c. And interspersed with the natural History, and allegorical Signification of the several Species of Birds, Beasts, Fishes, &c. comprehended in this treatise. Contains a dictionary of the technical terms made use of in heraldry.

Some wear along edges and covers of binding with front joint cracked, back joint scuffed. Reinforced with library tape at front gutter. Signature from page 67 through 78 loose but present. Block with usual age-toning in good condition.