[VIRGINIA]. THE COUNCIL OF VIRGINIA. A True Declaration of the estate of the Colonie of Virginia, With a confutation of such scandalous reports as have tended to the disgrace of so worthy an enterprise. London: [by Eliot’s Court Press and William Stansby for] William Barret, 1610.

[VIRGINIA]. THE COUNCIL OF VIRGINIA. A True Declaration of the estate of the Colonie of Virginia, With a confutation of such scandalous reports as have tended to the disgrace of so worthy an enterprise. London: [by Eliot’s Court Press and William Stansby for] William Barret, 1610.

First edition of this scarce work on Jamestown and early Virginia settlement. It gives the first account of the disastrous expedition of George Sommers (or Somers), Sir Thomas Gates, and Captain Newport in 1609, and their narrow escape by falling in with the Bermudas or Summer Islands. While many were calling for the abandonment of the colony, this is an early plea for its continuance.

4to (171 x 119 mm). (Lacks preliminary leaf solely containing signature mark “A”, some pale browning to title and with some pale staining in the fore-margin.) Modern black morocco. Provenance: Boies Penrose (bookplates; his sale Sotheby’s London, 9 November 1971, lot 267). ESTC S122265; Sabin 99860; STC 24833.