*.* One of the most interesting specimens of Caxton's press. No other
perfect copy, I believe, has occurred for sale. The Aleborne copy,
(imperfect, wanting the Epitaph upon Chaucer, WHICH IS REPRINTED IN SOME
EDITIONS OF HIS WORKS, and other leaves,) sold for 53l. 11s. It is one
of the earliest productions of the father of the English press, and
claims a very great additional interest from being translated by the
Poet Chaucer. CAXTON gives us the following reasons that induced Chaucer
to translate, and himself to print it:--"Forasmoche as the stile of it
is harde, and difficile to be understoode of simple persones, therefore
the worshipful Fader and first founder and embelisher of ornate
eloquence in our _English_, I mene Maister _Geffrey Chaucer_, hath
translated it out of _Latyn_, as neygh as is possible to be understande;
wherin, in myne oppynon, he hath deserved a perpetual lawde and thanke
of al this noble Royame of _England_. Thenne, forasmoche as this sayd
boke so translated is rare, and not spred ne knowen as it is digne and
worthy for the erudicion of such as ben ignoraunte, atte requeste of a
singuler frend and gossop of myne, _I, William Caxton_, have done my
devoir temprynte it in fourme as is hereafore made."
3653 FOX (EDWARD) BISHOP OF HEREFORD, True Dyfferens Between ye Regall
Power and the Ecclesiasticall Power, translated out of Latyn by Henry
Lord Stafforde, _and dedicated by him to the Protector Somerset_, black
letter, 8vo. _fine copy, morocco, gilt edges_, EXTREMELY RARE, 6l. 6s.
_Imprinted at the sign of the Rose Garland, by W. Copland, n.d._
*.* This extraordinarily rare volume was written by Edward Fox, Bishop
of Hereford, according to Strype and Leland--_see the latter's encomium
upon it_. Lord Herbert supposed it to have been written by King Henry
VIII. It is one of the most interesting and rare volumes relative to
church history. The noble translator states that it was lent him by his
friend Master Morison, and finding the difference between the power
regal and ecclesiastical so plainly set out, and so purely explained,
that rather than his countrie should be utterly frustrated of so great
fruyte as myght growe by redynge thereof, I thought it well-bestowed
labour to turn it into Englishe.
3318 LANE (JOHN) TOM TEL-TROTH'S MESSAGE AND HIS PEN'S COMPLAINT, a
worke not unpleasant to be read, nor unprofitable to be followed, IN
VERSE, _dedicated to George Dowse_, 4to. _remarkably fine copy_, UNCUT,
_morocco elegant, gilt edges_, EXCESSIVELY RARE IF NOT UNIQUE, 10l. 10s.
_Imprinted for R. Howell, 1600_.
*.* This curious poem, consisting of 120 verses of six lines each, is of
such EXTRAORDINARY RARITY, AS TO HAVE ESCAPED THE RESEARCHES OF ALL
BIBLIOGRAPHERS. The author is styled by Phillips, in his Theatrum
Poetarum, as that "fine old Queen Elizabeth's gentleman," and is ranked
in the class of poets next to Spenser. The present volume acquires an
additional interest from being the _first production of the Author_,
which is thus expressed in the dedication: "These first fruites of my
barren braine, the token of my love, the seale of my affection, and the
true cognizance of my unfained affection," &c.
We have also received Supplements A, B, C, and D, the last part issued,
of the Catalogue of Miscellaneous Books, in various languages, on sale
by Charles Dolman, of 61. New Bond Street, which contain many rare and
curious works, more especially in the department of Foreign Divinity.
To these we may add Parts V. and VI. of Catalogues of "Cheap Books,
Autographs, &c.," on sale by Bell, 10. Bedford Street, Covent Garden;
the "Cheap Catalogue," Part XXIV., of Thomas Cole, 15. Great Turnstile,
Holborn; a "Miscellaneous Catalogue of remarkably cheap Old Books," on
sale by C. Hamilton, 4. Bridge Place, City Road; Russell Smith's
Catalogue of "Choice, Useful, and Curious Books," Part VII., which he
describes, very justly, as "containing some very cheap books;" Parts CV.
and CVI. of Petheram's, 94. High Holborn, "Catalogue of Old and New
Books," containing, among other things, Collections of the works of the
various publishing Societies, such as the Camden, Calvin, Parker,
Shakspeare, Ray, &c., and also of the Record publications; and lastly,
which we have just received from the worthy bibliopole of Auld Reekie,
T.G. Stevenson, his curious "List of Unique, Valuable, and Interesting
Works, chiefly illustrative of Scottish History and Antiquities, printed
at private expense," and "Bannatyniana,--Catalogue of the privately
printed publications of the Bannatyne Club from MDCCCXXIII. to
MDCCCXLVIII.," both of which are well deserving the attention of our
bibliographical friends.
* * * * *