Parallelum Olivae (A Tribute to Oliver Cromwell)

Bound in 19^th Century full gilt ruled calf, all edges gilt, the spine divided into seven compartments by six wide gilt decorated raised bands. Title stamped directly into the second compartment from the top, with the place of publication and date in the sixth compartment from the top. The front board was cracked and separating and has been strengthened by a conservator with a hidden hinge inserted into the board and book block, preserving the fine spine. Shelf ready.

Internally the leaves are generally clean and well margined with some light foxing and the odd stain. Some worming at the bottom of each page towards the end of the volume, not affecting any letters.

The volume measures 29 x 19 x 2 cm. Each leaf measures 285 x 185 mm.

Of Parallelum Olivæ

Parallelum Olivæ contains 13 essays on Oliver Cromwell praising his mercy, benignity and wisdom.

The prints of Cromwell are quite famous often appearing as parts of displays on the Civil War, or copied illustrations in history books. The originals printed from copper plates are much better viewed in person and are in all cases sharp dark impressions.

The engraved title page features God’s in Council at the top, Pallas and Neptune at the sides.

The battle print on Pg. 131 shows Cromwell on horseback, dressed in armour, at the scene of a battle. This image follows the pose used by the Spanish painter Diego Velasquez (1599-1660) in his equestrian portraits, in particular of the great minister, the Count-Duke of Olivares. Cromwell is explicitly presented as a military leader in this image.

The background of the print touches on the realities of warfare. Smoke from artillery firing from high ground can be seen in the background left and right. In the middle distance troops are drawn up in pre-battle formation and in the near distance, in the plain below Cromwell, the chaos of hand-to-hand fighting is depicted. On the left is a cavalry skirmish and on the right a clash of pikeman. Some indication of the injury, suffering and death that accompanies war is given by the bodies strewn across the battlefield.

By 1656, when the book was printed, Oliver Cromwell was clearly established as Head of State. There were several laudatory collections published during this period celebrating his great achievements and wisdom, with this volume amongst the best.

From Wikipedia: John Rushout, 2nd Baron Northwick (16 February 1770 – 20 January 1859) was an English peer, landowner and collector of art works.

Rushout was the son of John Rushout, 1st Baron Northwick and his wife Rebecca Bowles. He was born at St James’, Westminster, London and was educated at Newcome’s School at Hackney (rather than Eton like his father) and did not then go to an English university. Instead he was sent to Neuchâtel in Switzerland. In 1790 he visited Italy and while touring the continent became friends with many eminent men including Edward Gibbon, Horatio Nelson, Sir William Hamilton (diplomat) and his wife Emma Hamilton, Richard Payne Knight, and the Italian artists Antonio Canova, and Vincenzo Camuccini. While he was living at the Bay of Palermo HMS Vanguard was stranded there, and as a result he was the first man in Europe to receive the news of the victory of the Battle of the Nile, hearing it from Nelson himself. He was also party to a less glorious incident of Nelson’s career, as he was at Nelson’s table in the flagship when a gun announced the execution of Prince Francesco Caracciolo.

Rushout developed a love of antique art from Sir William Hamilton and with Hamilton and Payne Knight purchased several collections of coins and other works of art. His art collection was to include paintings by contemporary artists as well as Old Masters, miniatures, enamels prints, coins and other collectible items. He returned from Italy in 1800 when, on the death of his father, he succeeded to the titles of 6th Baronet Rushout, of Milnst and 2nd Baron Northwick. He became a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries (F.S.A.) in 1800. In 1832 he built a gallery for his collection at Northwick Park, near Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, but this became too small. Northwick was a landowner behind many property developments in Cheltenham and purchased Thirlestaine House there to allow access to any art lovers who wanted to admire his collection. He also had a gallery at Connaught Place in London, which he sold in 1838, having transferred its pictures to Thirlestaine.

Northwick appears in the accounts of Anthony Trollope the author whose father had rented a poor farm from him at Harrow. As the farm failed, Trollope senior referred to Northwick as a ‘cormorant who was eating us up’ and fled to Belgium in 1834 to escape arrest for his debts.

Northwick died at Northwick Park in 1859 aged eighty-eight, intestate and childless. As a result, his collection was sold off and items from it appear in many major art collections around the world. The barony and Northwick Park passed to his nephew, George Rushout. Thirlestaine House was bought in 1863 by Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bt. to house his own huge book collection.