Annals of the Four Masters Books First Editions

A fine very rare first edition set by John O`Donovan . Rebound in the 1980s the full first edition set is in fine condition. The Annals of the Four Masters an Irish history from the earliest times to the year 1616. The work was compiled between 1632 and 1636 by a small team of historians headed by Br. Michael O’Clery, a Franciscan lay brother. He himself records: “There was collected by me all the best and most copious books of Annals that I could find throughout all Ireland, though it was difficult for me to collect them in one place”. It is believed the Annals were written in the Franciscan convent of Donegal. Brother Michael who was chief of the Four Masters was born about 1590 great work remained, for the most part, unpublished and untranslated until John O’Donovan prepared his edition between 1847 and 1856.