GEORGE R. George Rex; King George II of Great Britain, as indicated by the signature of the Duke of Newcastle.

WHEREAS Our Trusty and Well-beloved Thomas Osborne? A famous and sometimes controversial London bookseller known for purchasing the Harleian Library. of our City of London, Bookseller, hath humbly represented unto Us, That he? hath at? a? great? Expence? and Labour? prepared? for the Press?, a new and correct? Edition of a Work, intitled?, ...?

A faint rectangular border is visible on the right side of the first paragraph, possibly the ghost of a decorative woodcut block or coat of arms from a facing page.

... and has? therefore most humbly? prayed? Us to grant him? Our Royal? Privilege and Licence for the sole printing and publishing the same for? the Term of fourteen Years from the Date hereof. We? being? willing? to? give? all? due? Encouragement? to Works of this? Nature, which tend to? the Advancement? of Learning?, are graciously pleased to condescend to his? Request?; and We? do? therefore, by these Presents, so far as may be agreeable to the Law, grant unto him? the? said? ...? his? Executors?, Administrators?, and Assigns?, Our Royal? Licence for the sole printing and publishing the said Work for the Term of fourteen Years from the Date hereof; strictly forbidding all Our Subjects within Our Kingdoms and Dominions to reprint the same in any other size or Volume whatsoever; or to import, vend To sell., utter, or distribute any Copies thereof, reprinted beyond the Seas, during the aforesaid Term of fourteen Years, without the Consent or Approbation of the said ...? his? Heirs?, Executors?, and Assigns?, under their Hands and Seals first? had? and obtained?, as they will answer the contrary at their Peril. Whereof the Commissioners and other Officers of Our Customs, the Master, Wardens, and Company of Stationers The guild responsible for regulating the English printing trade., are to take Notice, that due Obedience may be rendered to Our Pleasure herein declared. Given at Our Court at St. James's, the ...? Day of ...? in? the ...? Year of Our Reign.