Details
BOECE, Hector (1465?-1536). Heir beginnis the hystory and croniklis of Scotland, translated from Latin into Scots English by John Bellenden (c.1495-1545). Edinburgh: Thomas Davidson, [not after 1540].
2° (283 x 187mm). Title printed in red and black, full-page woodcut arms of Scotland on title, full-page woodcut of Crucifixion on last page, two column-width woodcuts in text, woodcut initials from several sets, including historiated and criblé. (Last few leaves stained, lower margin of last leaf replaced and with fore-edge repairs touching woodcut, light marginal dampstain, occasional fore-edge weakness at beginning, a few small spots, paper flaw in two leaves without loss.) Early 20th-century calf ruled in blind, spine titled in gilt (stain on front cover). Provenance: Thomas Hammond (?18th-century inscription on fo. 190v) -- Sir Christopher Hawkins (1758-1829; 18th-century title inscription; by descent via his nephew to:) -- George Horace (1882-1960) and Alison Johnstone (d.1977), Trewithen, Cornwall (1933 bookplate), then by descent.
FIRST EDITION IN SCOTS of the history of Scotland from its earliest origins, a work "highly influential on the way in which the Scots regarded themselves" (ODNB). Hector Boece, Scottish humanist, friend of Erasmus and first principal of the new university at Aberdeen, wrote his History of Scotland in Latin; it was first printed at Paris in 1527. The poet John Bellenden undertook the translation into Scots at the request of James V, completing one version in 1531 (the manuscript presented to James V survives at the Morgan Library) and a revised version in 1533, represented by the printed text. Bellenden's translation circulated widely and influenced other chronicles, including Holinshed's Chronicles, one of the sources used by Shakespeare. It is also an early example of Scottish printing, preceded by only a handful of books printed in Scotland. Prior to Davidson's career, printing in Scotland consisted of the brief activity of Chepman and Millar at the beginning of the century, and of John Scot about 1520, only one of whose books survives. STC 3203.
2° (283 x 187mm). Title printed in red and black, full-page woodcut arms of Scotland on title, full-page woodcut of Crucifixion on last page, two column-width woodcuts in text, woodcut initials from several sets, including historiated and criblé. (Last few leaves stained, lower margin of last leaf replaced and with fore-edge repairs touching woodcut, light marginal dampstain, occasional fore-edge weakness at beginning, a few small spots, paper flaw in two leaves without loss.) Early 20th-century calf ruled in blind, spine titled in gilt (stain on front cover). Provenance: Thomas Hammond (?18th-century inscription on fo. 190v) -- Sir Christopher Hawkins (1758-1829; 18th-century title inscription; by descent via his nephew to:) -- George Horace (1882-1960) and Alison Johnstone (d.1977), Trewithen, Cornwall (1933 bookplate), then by descent.
FIRST EDITION IN SCOTS of the history of Scotland from its earliest origins, a work "highly influential on the way in which the Scots regarded themselves" (ODNB). Hector Boece, Scottish humanist, friend of Erasmus and first principal of the new university at Aberdeen, wrote his History of Scotland in Latin; it was first printed at Paris in 1527. The poet John Bellenden undertook the translation into Scots at the request of James V, completing one version in 1531 (the manuscript presented to James V survives at the Morgan Library) and a revised version in 1533, represented by the printed text. Bellenden's translation circulated widely and influenced other chronicles, including Holinshed's Chronicles, one of the sources used by Shakespeare. It is also an early example of Scottish printing, preceded by only a handful of books printed in Scotland. Prior to Davidson's career, printing in Scotland consisted of the brief activity of Chepman and Millar at the beginning of the century, and of John Scot about 1520, only one of whose books survives. STC 3203.
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