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Details
PEACHAM, Henry, the younger (1578-1644). Minerva Britanna, or a garden of heroical devises. Furnished and adorned with emblems and impresas of sundry natures. London: W. Dight, 1612.
4o (203 x 157mm). Two parts in one volume. Woodcut title-page border with central device of a hand reaching from behind a curtain, holding a quill pen; verso with woodcut arms of Henry, Prince of Wales. The second part with woodcut title-page. "The author's conclusion" 5pp., last page blank. Illustrated with 204 woodcuts with wide borders, many decorative head- and tail-pieces. (Small marginal spots at B1r). Crimson morocco with broad gilt borders, spine gilt in seven compartments, one gilt-lettered, edges gilt and gauffered (Slight rubbing at extremities). Provenance: Robert Hoe (bookplate); Louis H. Silver (bookplate); Herschel V. Jones (bookplate); acquired from John F. Fleming 1976.
FIRST EDITION. A elaborate and important English emblem book. One woodcut has been taken by some as evidence for the Bacon-Shakespeare controversy: no.33 depicts a hand in armour holding upright a spear, while the facing emblem is dedicated to Bacon. Peacham's address "To the reader" (A3-4) extolls the emblems of different countries and authors. STC 19511; Grolier Wither to Prior II, 657; Freeman, English Emblem Books, pp.68ff. Fact and Fantasy 52.
4o (203 x 157mm). Two parts in one volume. Woodcut title-page border with central device of a hand reaching from behind a curtain, holding a quill pen; verso with woodcut arms of Henry, Prince of Wales. The second part with woodcut title-page. "The author's conclusion" 5pp., last page blank. Illustrated with 204 woodcuts with wide borders, many decorative head- and tail-pieces. (Small marginal spots at B1r). Crimson morocco with broad gilt borders, spine gilt in seven compartments, one gilt-lettered, edges gilt and gauffered (Slight rubbing at extremities). Provenance: Robert Hoe (bookplate); Louis H. Silver (bookplate); Herschel V. Jones (bookplate); acquired from John F. Fleming 1976.
FIRST EDITION. A elaborate and important English emblem book. One woodcut has been taken by some as evidence for the Bacon-Shakespeare controversy: no.33 depicts a hand in armour holding upright a spear, while the facing emblem is dedicated to Bacon. Peacham's address "To the reader" (A3-4) extolls the emblems of different countries and authors. STC 19511; Grolier Wither to Prior II, 657; Freeman, English Emblem Books, pp.68ff. Fact and Fantasy 52.