Details
MORE, Thomas (1478-1535). The workes of Sir Thomas More Knyght, sometyme Lorde Chauncellour of England, wrytten by him in the Englysh tongue. Edited by William Rastell (ca 1508-1565). London: John Cawod, John Waly and Richarde Tottell, 1557.
4o (265 x 185 mm). Black letter, double column. Title within historiated woodcut border with the Queen's arms in upper compartment and female figures with olive brances at sides (McKerrow and Ferguson 81). Large and small woodcut initials. (Inner margin repaired on title, a few minor marginal stains.) Contemporary English calf, covers with central stamped gilt device (rebacked). Provenance: Estelle Doheny (morocco bookplate; purchased from Maggs Bros., London, 11 November 1943) -- donated to SMS 1944.
FIRST EDITION of More's collected works in English. William Ratsell edited his uncle's works while living as a Catholic in exile in Louvain, during the reign of Edward VI. The works are arranged chronologically and with "valuable marginal notes" have been added. Although Cawood printed the first quire, including the "table" compiled by Thomas Paynell, it was Tottell who printed the remainder of the book. A fine copy containing the eight leaves containing More's youthful poems ('These fowre thinges...') and the extra leaf containing 'Sir Thomas More Knyghte to the christen reader' between pages 1138 and 1139, often lacking. The title imprint reads "Printed at" in first line. The collected works in Latin was published by Episcopius in Basel in 1563. Gibson More 73; Pforzheimer 743; STC 18076.
4o (265 x 185 mm). Black letter, double column. Title within historiated woodcut border with the Queen's arms in upper compartment and female figures with olive brances at sides (McKerrow and Ferguson 81). Large and small woodcut initials. (Inner margin repaired on title, a few minor marginal stains.) Contemporary English calf, covers with central stamped gilt device (rebacked). Provenance: Estelle Doheny (morocco bookplate; purchased from Maggs Bros., London, 11 November 1943) -- donated to SMS 1944.
FIRST EDITION of More's collected works in English. William Ratsell edited his uncle's works while living as a Catholic in exile in Louvain, during the reign of Edward VI. The works are arranged chronologically and with "valuable marginal notes" have been added. Although Cawood printed the first quire, including the "table" compiled by Thomas Paynell, it was Tottell who printed the remainder of the book. A fine copy containing the eight leaves containing More's youthful poems ('These fowre thinges...') and the extra leaf containing 'Sir Thomas More Knyghte to the christen reader' between pages 1138 and 1139, often lacking. The title imprint reads "Printed at" in first line. The collected works in Latin was published by Episcopius in Basel in 1563. Gibson More 73; Pforzheimer 743; STC 18076.