1729 Vol 3: A COMPLEAT HISTORY OF THE HOLY GOSPEL By Laurence Howel. 
 
ILLUSTRATED Calf Leather Bound RARE Antiquarian Book. Fifth Edition, corrected. It is missing its frontispiece, but all the remaining 49 ILLUSTRATED PLATES are present and accounted for. There are also marble patterned pastedowns (but no free endpapers). 
 
Containing the incarnation, Birth, Doctrine, Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. To which is added, A Journal of the peregrination of our blessed saviour: Extracted from the four Evangelists, the Acts of the Apostles, and other Writings of the New Testament. Digested in a Chronological Order. Illustrated with notes, explaining several difficult Passages, and reconciling many texts, that are seemingly contradictory: Adorned with Cuts, engraven by John Sturt. John Sturt was an English engraver and writing master who was active in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He is most renowed as the illustrator of The Pilgrim’s Progress. 
 
This is a fascinating historical and comprehensive religious book, now nearly 300 years old. 
 
Printed for J. and J Knapton, J. Darby, A. Bettesworth, F. Ayram, J. Pemberton, J. Osborn and T. Longman, C. Rivington, F. Clay, J. Batley, and A. Ward in MDCCXXIX (1729). 
 
Lawrence Howel (also known as Howell) was born in approximately 1664 in London. He was a Nonjuring Church of England Clergyman. He published several books; however, it was his publication of a pamphlet for private circulation, called “The Case of Schism in the Church of England Truly Stated” which led to his arrest for treason. He died in Newgate prison on 19 July 1720. 
 
Inside, this book is in an acceptable condition, and it is perfectly readable. Except for the missing frontispiece (plate 1), all the pages are included. However, there is wear, as detailed below. This has been reflected in the price and please take into consideration that this is nearly 300 years old. 
 
This is bound in thick calf leather, over boards, reminiscent of this period, and there is a panelled spine with embossed lettering (partially rubbed). The cover is intact, but there is overall wear. This includes rubbing to the leather, rips at the edges, small holes in the boards, a lean to the spine, and marks. Please refer to the photographs provided for further details. 
 
Inside, the pages are tanned, and they are lightly crinkled, and a handful of pages have heavier crinkling on their inner edges. The title page is heavily creased, with rips at its edges. There are several marks, stains, and foxing on the pages, but this does not affect the text. There is pen written and ink marks on several pages, and ink across 3 of the illustrated plates (two of these plates are shown in the photos). The remaining 46 plates do not have ink written on them, except on the back of plate 44, although this does not affect the illustration on the front. Many pages have small rips at the edges. This does not obscure the text, and there is a larger rip to the side of plate 27, which does slightly go into the illustration (please see the photograph provided). A number of pages are partially loose to one side of the inner binding, and so still attached within the book and secure. There are large cracks in the gutter to the side of both the front pastedown and the back pastedown. A few further pages have light cracks in the gutter, mostly light. Besides the frontispiece there are no missing pages and so all 376 pages are present, plus the index at the rear. The plates included are plates 2 to 50 inclusive. Please note that plate 20 is out of order but included after plate 22 and before plate 23. Please study the photos carefully as to the condition of this book, as they do form part of the description. 
 
This really is a historically important and rare book. 
 
This measures approximately 20.4 cm by 13 cm and 4.3 cm wide. It weighs approximately 677 grams. 
 
Thank you so much for looking.