An unusual group of SIX ORIGINAL LEAVES (12 pages) from the 1638 edition of John Guillim's A Display of Heraldry, including the concluding pages of the work, printed amendments, and extensive early handwritten annotations, names, and indexes.

What distinguishes this group is the remarkable quantity of manuscript writing preserved on the leaves. Several pages contain densely written notes in early cursive hands, including lists of names, references to noble titles and ranks, alphabetical indexes, and other annotations. The handwriting appears old and may be contemporary with the seventeenth-century printing, although its precise date and authorship have not been established.

The printed material includes an especially interesting discussion titled "Of Kings and Regall Majesty," addressing the divine authority of kings, the origins of monarchy, royal jurisdiction, and the precedence of English kings over other sovereigns. It includes references to Christianity, Constantine, the Saxons, and the responsibilities of royal government.

Also present are the concluding portions of Guillim's text, including "FINIS," verses addressed to the reader, and printed corrections and additions. The handwritten material includes an alphabetical table of names and additional lists and notes that may reward further historical or genealogical research.

John Guillim (1565–1621) was an English heraldic scholar whose A Display of Heraldry became one of the most influential English-language works on coats of arms, nobility, genealogy, and heraldic practice. The work continued to be published and expanded after his death.

These leaves offer an appealing combination of early Stuart-era printing and historical manuscript material. Particularly suitable for collectors of early English books, seventeenth-century handwriting, genealogy, heraldry, royal history, and antiquarian manuscripts.

Condition: Original antique leaves, not reproductions. Age-related toning, staining, edge wear, small tears, irregular margins, and areas of loss, particularly along some manuscript-bearing edges. Several leaves show evidence of former binding or reuse. Handwriting varies in darkness and legibility. Please examine all photographs carefully for condition and completeness. Sold as the six-leaf group pictured.

1638 John Guillim, Display of Heraldry, 17th century manuscript, early English handwriting, Stuart England, Charles I era, English nobility, genealogy, handwritten index, manuscript annotations, heraldic history, royal majesty, antiquarian book leaves, early modern England, historical documents, paleography.