KNIGHTS OF THE GRAPE – ABELL, [William] (c.1584-1655) and KILVERT, [Richard] (c.1588-1650). The Copie of a Letter Sent From the Roaring Boyes in Elizium to the Two Arrant Knights of the Grape. [London:] No publisher, 1641.

KNIGHTS OF THE GRAPE – ABELL, [William] (c.1584-1655) and KILVERT, [Richard] (c.1588-1650). The Copie of a Letter Sent From the Roaring Boyes in Elizium to the Two Arrant Knights of the Grape. [London:] No publisher, 1641.



The rare first edition of this satire in verse, a response to a bitter controversy that erupted over a wine tax imposed by Charles I and endorsed by Abell, alderman and master of the Vintners Company. RBH and ABPC record no copy having been offered at auction. “Bacchus drank round a health, and each one pledg’d it / And after, with another cup he wedg’d it / Untill their braines, by their cups often chiming / Left off their sack and forthwith fell to rhyming...” ESTC R-22174; Wing 6153.



Quarto (180 x 134mm). 2 woodcut portraits on the title (a little minor browning). 19th century gilt-ruled calf (neatly rebacked).