The History of Physick; From the Time of Galen, to The Beginning of The Sixteenth Century by Dr. J. Freind, 1725-6 | Two Vols, 1st Edition

"The History of Physick; From the Time of Galen, to the Beginning of the Sixteenth Century" by Dr. John Freind, First Edition, published in London by J. Walthoe in 1725–1726. A classic early history of medicine, this important work traces the development of medical knowledge from the era of Galen through the beginning of the sixteenth century. Freind is recognized as the first English historian of medicine. The work also has a fascinating historical association: Freind planned it while imprisoned in the Tower of London on a charge of high treason, of which he was innocent.

Two complete octavo volumes (5" x 7.5"), bound in full brown Cambridge-style leather with decorative blind-stamped borders. The professionally rebacked bindings retain their original leather boards and feature five faux spine bands, gilt lettering, red leather spine labels, and gilt decoration. The spines bear the date “1723” in gilt at the foot. Latin bookplates of Ioannis Heller appear on the front pastedowns, with bookseller’s notes in pencil on the first free endpaper of Volume I. Small blue library stamps from the Borough of Bootle-cum-Linacre Free Public Library and Museum appear on both title pages and several other leaves.

Condition is Very Good, with virtually no edgewear; the spines and boards have been refreshed. The final leaf of each volume has a professional paper repair near the spine. Some vegetative staining appears on pages in Volume II, while the pages are otherwise very clean.

An attractive two-volume set for collectors of early medical history, eighteenth-century scholarship, and antiquarian books on the history of science and medicine.