Details
BOECE, Hector (1465?-1536). The hystory and croniklis of Scotland. Translated into Scots by John Bellenden [1500-48]. Edinburgh: Thomas Davidson, [1540?].
2° (277 x 194mm). 286 leaves. One full-page woodcut of royal arms of Scotland on title, full-page woodcut on final page, 2 woodcut scenes, woodcut ornamental initials from several sets, title printed in red. (Title and A2-3 repaired at centre affecting woodcut and some letters on verso, title slightly extended at fore-edge margin, a few light stains, quire y browned and brittle with 2 tears into text, final leaf reinforced.) Early 19th-century olive morocco gilt, marbled endpapers, gilt edges (extremities only slightly rubbed). Provenance: H--et Bressys boke iiiis, in a contemporary hand; some 18th-century marginal annotations in summary of chapters; Elisabethe Hide, Richard Hide (18th-century signatures).
In addition to the textual significance of this edition as one of the earliest printed specimens of Scottish prose, it is also an early example of Scottish printing. Prior to Davidson's career, printing in Scotland consisted of the brief activity of Chepman and Millar at the beginning of the century lasting about 5 years, and of John Scot about 1520, only one of whose books survives. Thus, this History was preceded by only a handful of books known to have been printed in Scotland. STC 3203.
2° (277 x 194mm). 286 leaves. One full-page woodcut of royal arms of Scotland on title, full-page woodcut on final page, 2 woodcut scenes, woodcut ornamental initials from several sets, title printed in red. (Title and A2-3 repaired at centre affecting woodcut and some letters on verso, title slightly extended at fore-edge margin, a few light stains, quire y browned and brittle with 2 tears into text, final leaf reinforced.) Early 19th-century olive morocco gilt, marbled endpapers, gilt edges (extremities only slightly rubbed). Provenance: H--et Bressys boke iiiis, in a contemporary hand; some 18th-century marginal annotations in summary of chapters; Elisabethe Hide, Richard Hide (18th-century signatures).
In addition to the textual significance of this edition as one of the earliest printed specimens of Scottish prose, it is also an early example of Scottish printing. Prior to Davidson's career, printing in Scotland consisted of the brief activity of Chepman and Millar at the beginning of the century lasting about 5 years, and of John Scot about 1520, only one of whose books survives. Thus, this History was preceded by only a handful of books known to have been printed in Scotland. STC 3203.