Erasmus, Peter as told to Henry ThompsonBiblio.com
ERASMUS, DesideriusBiblio.com
Ecclesiastae sive de ratione concionandi libri quatuor
1535ref. 150907Antwerp: Michael Hillenius 1535. Rare 16th-century English blind stamped panels One of two pirated editions of Erasmus's Ecclesiastes published in Antwerp the same year as Froben's authorized original. The covers of this copy bear two handsome and rare blind stamped panels attributed to the Dutch binder Gerard or Garrett Pilgrim active in England at the beginning of the 16th century. Pilgrim was a native of Antwerp who worked as a bookseller and bookbinder in Oxford from at least 1524 until his death in 1536. The two panels of which only 13 examples are known to Oldham Oldham HM 17 and 18 p. 28 all dated 1523-35 are of characteristically English style and manufacturing. They feature an outer frame filled with blind stamped rolls of leaves garlands angels masks and dragons and a central design of heads in roundels accompanied by the binder's initials with a key and a pilgrim's staff crossed. On 12 July 1536 Erasmus died in Basel where he had returned to check on Froben's publication of the Ecclesiastes his last major composition. This work is an extensive manual in four books on the art of preaching containing a treatise on the role and importance of preachers in the church precise indications on how to structure and deliver sermons and a list of sermon topics. The Ecclesiastes was highly successful: in addition to the 2600 copies printed by Froben two pirated editions were produced in Antwerp in 1535 the present one and another by Martinus Caesar for an estimated total of 3500 copies sold - an uncommonly large publication for its time see Kleinhans p. 308. Octavo 160 x 103 mm. Woodcut printer's device to title page and verso of last leaf half-page portrait of Erasmus in a roundel historiated and floriated initials. Later calf preserving contemporary English blindstamped panels signed "GP" spine with raised bands decoration of parallel blind lines to first and last compartment intricate design of curls and tendrils to third and fourth gilt date at foot early 19th century endpapers one binder's blank with watermark "EB 1813". Partly erased contemporary ownership inscription of one "frater Henricus Thor." to title page occasional contemporary marginalia in Latin and maniculae early price indication of 2 shillings inked to verso of last leaf armorial bookplate to front pastedown of George Kenyon of Peel Esq 1666-1728 MP and a prominent figure in the Lancashire Tory political scene in the 1690s through to the 1710s. Raised bands and joints a little rubbed early repair to rear cover panel some marginal light stains and fingermarks to contents otherwise internally bright and exceptionally clean A2-3 missing as usual. An attractive well-margined copy. Adams E-626; USTC 400577; Erasmus Online 1678. J. B. Oldham Blind Panels of English Binders 2010. On the panels see also M. Foot The Henry Davis Gift Vol. II 1979 no. 27. R. G. Kleinhans "Erasmus Ecclesiastes and the Church of England" in Historical Magazine of the Protestant Episcopal Church 39/3 1970 pp. 307-14. hardcover
Peter Harrington · Reino Unido3500,00 GBP≈ 4180,20 €
