A General History of the House of Guelph or, Royal Family of Britain by Andrew Halliday M.D. (1821), Rare, First Edition | Provenance of King William IV

A monumental rare, first edition, folio tracing the lineage of one of Europe’s most influential dynasties—the House of Guelph (Welf)—from its early medieval roots in Bavaria to the Hanoverian kings of Great Britain. Written by Andrew Halliday, M.D., physician to the Duke of Clarence (later King William IV), this authoritative royal genealogy is richly detailed with tables, armorial engravings, and historical appendices.

This particular copy bears extraordinary provenance: the armorial bookplate of William, Duke of Clarence (King William IV), encircled by the Garter motto “Honi soit qui mal y pense,” and an additional inscription for Col. Fitz Clarence, one of the King’s sons. Beneath lies a smaller plate for James Renshaw, possibly a later binder or collector—making this copy an artifact of both royal and bibliophilic importance.

Bound in handsome three-quarter red leather over blue marbled boards, with gilt-decorated spine compartments, raised bands, and a contrasting black morocco title label. The binding likely a later 19th-century rebind (professionally rebound with original marbled endpapers and bookplates) preserving the original marbled endpapers and armorial bookplates. Features a frontispiece of Henry the Lion’s arms and numerous genealogical tables, including the origins of the Guelphs, their link to Brunswick and Hanover, and their ascension to the British throne. 

 Binding tight, text crisp and clean.

A splendid association copy of significant historical and aesthetic value—a royal lineage preserved in leather and gilt.

Rare Book

Condition: Very Good

Size: Folio — approx. 12.5” × 9.5” × 2.5”

Provenance:
    •    William, Duke of Clarence (King William IV) — armorial bookplate.
    •    Col. Fitz Clarence — handwritten ownership notation.
    •    James Renshaw — later ownership bookplate.

Provenance Verification:
The armorial bookplate is a verified example used by William, Duke of Clarence prior to his accession as King in 1830. It bears the Garter motto “Honi soit qui mal y pense”, the ducal coronet, and the arms of Clarence—hallmarks authentic to the heraldic devices used by the future William IV.

The accompanying inscription of Col. Fitz Clarence aligns with that of Colonel George Augustus Frederick Fitz Clarence (1794–1842), one of William IV’s acknowledged sons and aide-de-camp. This dual provenance—royal and filial—is of great rarity and significance, connecting the volume directly to the royal household.

Such provenance not only verifies the book’s authenticity but also situates it within the personal circle of the British monarchy at the dawn of the Victorian era.

Historical Note:
The House of Guelph (Welf) is one of Europe’s oldest dynasties, producing monarchs of Hanover, Brunswick, and Great Britain. Its members include the British royal line from George I through Queen Victoria. Halliday’s text, written under royal patronage, stands as one of the earliest comprehensive genealogical histories of the dynasty.

Rarity & Desirability Factors
    •1821 first edition — the definitive early genealogy of the Guelph / Hanoverian royal line.
    •Royal association copy — highly collectible.
    •Oversized folio presentation — costly to produce and scarce in the trade.
    •The House of Guelph’s direct tie to Queen Victoria and modern British monarchy makes it of cross-disciplinary appeal (royal history, heraldry, genealogy, book arts).

An exceptional historical royal folio and genealogical masterpiece—bridging English history, heraldry, and monarchy—once within the library of King William IV, the “Sailor King.”