The Present State of the Universe, printed by Benj. Motte, 1704
A wide-ranging handbook of the crowned heads of Europe and their dominions at the opening of the 18th century, including heraldry, mottoes, titles, revenues, seats of pleasure, languages, and coats of arms, with supplementary material on “commonwealths” and maritime ensigns. Originally issued in 1683, the work was repeatedly updated to reflect shifting dynastic and political realities, making it a valuable snapshot of the balance of power under Queen Anne.
With engraved portrait plates of European sovereigns (e.g. Anne Queen of Great Britain, the Pope, the King of Prussia, the King of Denmark, etc.), and additional section on naval ensigns and colours with woodcut flags.
"The Present State of the Universe" is a slightly overreaching title, in today's modern terms.
The Present State of the Universe; or, an Account of
I. The Rise, Births, Names, Matches, Children, and near Allies of all the present Chief Princes of the World.
II. Their Coats of Arms, Motto’s, Devices, Liveries, Religions and Languages.
III. The Names of their Chief Towns, with some Computation of the Houses and Inhabitants; their Chief Seats of Pleasure, and other Remarkable things in their Dominions.
IV. Their Revenues, Power, and Strength.
V. Their respective Styles and Titles, or Appellations.
VI. And an Account of the Common-wealths, relating to the same Heads.
To this Fourth Edition continu’d and enlarg’d, with several Effigies wanting in the former Impression; as also the various Bearings of their several Ships at Sea: are added their several Territories, which are distant from them in other Parts of the World.
London: Printed by Benj. Motte, and are to be sold by John Nutt, near Stationers-Hall, 1704.
Overall good condition, but with detached board. Text block generally clean and complete, with very mild age-toning, and a few usage marks. Plates well-impressed. One plate with some creasing and one detached, but present. Binding worn, with the front board detached and the rear fragile but holding; leather rubbed, bumped and scuffed. With burgundy morocco title label with gilt to spine, which also has raised bands. An owner's mark to title page. Despite faults, an unrestored survival in contemporary calf, of an uncommon edition.
Text in English.
(1) Title + (8) + 164pp + (35) pages featuring images of 70 flags + 10 engraved portrait Plates (as called for).
Weight approximately 200g (unpacked).
Dimensions: Approximately 155mm high x 97mm wide x 22mm deep.
Publishing notes:
The first edition appeared in 1683, with subsequent revisions (including this enlarged 1704 fourth edition) keeping pace with Europe’s shifting balance of power during the War of the Spanish Succession.
The work was issued anonymously, and no author is securely identified. Bibliographic authorities (ESTC, Wing, Lowndes, Watt) list it as anonymous. It was likely the product of a professional compiler or “Grub Street” writer, possibly drawing on earlier continental “state of Europe” models. Such compilations were often updated by booksellers rather than a single authorial hand.
The 1704 edition was printed by Benjamin Motte, a significant London printer who later became well known for publishing Jonathan Swift (Gulliver’s Travels, 1726). The publisher John Nutt, named on the title-page, was also active in political and reference printing around Stationers’ Hall.