COOKE, William (d.1780). The Medallic History of Imperial Rome, London, 1781, 2 volumes, folio, 61 engraved plates, attractively bound in contemporary tree calf, spines elaborately gilt with red and black morocco lettering-pieces. FIRST EDITION. (2)

COOKE, William (d.1780).  The Medallic History of Imperial Rome ... With the Several Medals and Coins, accurately Copied and Curiously Engraven. To which is prefixed, an Introduction, containing a General History of Roman Medals. London: J. Dodsley, 1781. 2 volumes, folio (274 x 215mm). 61 engraved plates of coins (some spotting and staining to titles and first few leaves in each vol., some offsetting of plates). Attractively bound in full contemporary tree calf, the spines elaborately gilt with red and black morocco lettering-pieces, yellow edges (extremities rubbed). Provenance: George Drewry Squibb (1906-94, lawyer, herald and antiquary, his armorial bookplates). FIRST EDITION. "A laborious numismatic work, which was corrected and published by [the author's] son in 1781 [i.e. posthumously] ... Cooke applies coins to the illustration of Roman history and the lives of the emperors. The plan of the book is good, but the engravings are very poor" (DNB). We can find nothing wrong with the engravings at all. Brunet I, 767. (2)