![HIERONYMUS (Saint, c. 340-420). Vitae sanctorum patrum, sive Vitas patrum, in English: The lyff of the faders, translated by William Caxton. Westminster: Wynkyn de Worde, [before 21 August] 1495.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2018/CKS/2018_CKS_17420_0170_001(hieronymus_vitae_sanctorum_patrum_sive_vitas_patrum_in_english_the_lyf010601).jpg?w=1)
![HIERONYMUS (Saint, c. 340-420). Vitae sanctorum patrum, sive Vitas patrum, in English: The lyff of the faders, translated by William Caxton. Westminster: Wynkyn de Worde, [before 21 August] 1495.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2018/CKS/2018_CKS_17420_0170_002(hieronymus_vitae_sanctorum_patrum_sive_vitas_patrum_in_english_the_lyf010610).jpg?w=1)
![HIERONYMUS (Saint, c. 340-420). Vitae sanctorum patrum, sive Vitas patrum, in English: The lyff of the faders, translated by William Caxton. Westminster: Wynkyn de Worde, [before 21 August] 1495.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2018/CKS/2018_CKS_17420_0170_000(hieronymus_vitae_sanctorum_patrum_sive_vitas_patrum_in_english_the_lyf010548).jpg?w=1)
Details
HIERONYMUS (Saint, c. 340-420). Vitae sanctorum patrum, sive Vitas patrum, in English: The lyff of the faders, translated by William Caxton. Westminster: Wynkyn de Worde, [before 21 August] 1495.
First edition in English of a popular collection of the lives of the Desert Fathers, translated into English by William Caxton. First published in Latin in 1475, Caxton’s translation was based on a French edition printed at Lyon in 1486/7 by Nicolaus Philippi and Jean du Pré. According to the colophon, Caxton completed this translation on the last day of his life. The numerous woodcuts in this edition were also based on those in the Lyon edition. GW M50906; BMC XI 197; Bod-inc H-116; ISTC ih00213000; Goff H-213.
Chancery folio (264 x 195mm). 353 leaves (of 356), woodcut title, 5 full-page woodcuts, 154 column-width woodcuts, many repeats, woodcut initials (lacking vv5-6 and xx6, Aa1 remargined at fore-edge, one marginal repair and repaired tear into text, some faint waterstaining in upper margin, gently washed and pressed). 19th-century blue straight-grained morocco, floral decoration to corners gilt, spine gilt; modern cloth solander box. Provenance: Johanna Regnas (early ownership inscription with Latin motto in red ink on title) – inscriptions erased from rr6-7 -- inscription recording purchase from Thorpe's catalogue in 1826, at a price of £59 -- Rev. J.F. Russell (inscription).
First edition in English of a popular collection of the lives of the Desert Fathers, translated into English by William Caxton. First published in Latin in 1475, Caxton’s translation was based on a French edition printed at Lyon in 1486/7 by Nicolaus Philippi and Jean du Pré. According to the colophon, Caxton completed this translation on the last day of his life. The numerous woodcuts in this edition were also based on those in the Lyon edition. GW M50906; BMC XI 197; Bod-inc H-116; ISTC ih00213000; Goff H-213.
Chancery folio (264 x 195mm). 353 leaves (of 356), woodcut title, 5 full-page woodcuts, 154 column-width woodcuts, many repeats, woodcut initials (lacking vv5-6 and xx6, Aa1 remargined at fore-edge, one marginal repair and repaired tear into text, some faint waterstaining in upper margin, gently washed and pressed). 19th-century blue straight-grained morocco, floral decoration to corners gilt, spine gilt; modern cloth solander box. Provenance: Johanna Regnas (early ownership inscription with Latin motto in red ink on title) – inscriptions erased from rr6-7 -- inscription recording purchase from Thorpe's catalogue in 1826, at a price of £59 -- Rev. J.F. Russell (inscription).
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