Details
ERASMUS, DESIDERIUS. The Praise of Folie. Moriae Encomium, a book made in Latyne by that great clerke Erasmus Roterodame. Englisshed by Sir Thomas Chaloner knight. Anno M.D.XLIX. (London: in the House of Thomas Berthelet 1569 [1557?]). Small 4to, 178 x 132 mm. (7 x 5 3/16 in.), dark brown blindstamped morocco in antique style, g.e., joints dry, title soiled and with extension causing trifling loss at upper margin, and at blank fore-margin, occasional spotting and slight staining elsewhere. Second Edition, black letter, title within woodcut border [McKerrow & Ferguson 50, with initials "T.P.", i.e. Thomas Powell, Berthelet's successor, at foot], colophon leaf at end with blank verso, 2 ornamental initials. STC 10501.
"'The Praise of Folly' was written when Erasmus was staying in the house of Thomas More in the winter of 1509. Its title is a delicate and complimentary play on the name of his host: its subject-matter is a brilliant, biting satire on the folly to be found in all walks of life."----Printing and the Mind of Man.
Provenance: George Goyder, bookplate (purchased from Peter Murray Hill with the latter's book label), sale, Sotheby's London, 19 July ÿ993, lot 72.
"'The Praise of Folly' was written when Erasmus was staying in the house of Thomas More in the winter of 1509. Its title is a delicate and complimentary play on the name of his host: its subject-matter is a brilliant, biting satire on the folly to be found in all walks of life."----Printing and the Mind of Man.
Provenance: George Goyder, bookplate (purchased from Peter Murray Hill with the latter's book label), sale, Sotheby's London, 19 July ÿ993, lot 72.