Dodoens (1517–1585) was one of the founders of modern botany. His Cruydeboeck was first published in Dutch in 1554. Lyte’s translation was from Charles de L’Ecluse’s French edition of 1557, extensively augmented with Lyte’s own notes. The illustrations in the English edition are to a large extent printed from the same blocks as those used in the 1545 continental octavo edition of Fuchs, who was a strong influence on Dodoens. To utilize the same woodblocks, the work was printed on the continent. The translation was subsequently reprinted in London, but consequently without the illustrations, in 1586, 1595, and 1619; an abridged version appeared in 1606. Dodoens’s Cruydeboeck in its various continental editions remained in use for two centuries; it was superseded in England by Gerard’s Her BAL l in 1597, but it is worth noting that Gerard’s key source, though unacknowledged, was Dodoens. Folio (298 × 183 mm). Early 20th-century red morocco by Rivière, spine lettered in gilt, covers panelled in gilt and blind, gilt edges. With woodcut illustrations throughout. Front pastedown with collector’s book label with monogram GOM, bookplate of Charles Edward Heley Chadwyck-Healey. Title leaf skilfully remargined with loss to woodcut border supplied in high quality pen facsimile, last few leaves remargined without loss, hand colouring to a few woodcuts (likely 19th century), a few cropped 17th/18th century annotations, washed and clean. A very good copy. ¶ ESTC S107363 (variant has “me” rather than “my” on title page); Henrey 110; Nissen 516. Rohde, The Old English Her BAL s , pp. 94–5. £6,500 [153412] 59 DOVES PRESS. The English Bible containing the Old Testament & the New. Hammersmith: First edition, one of 500 sets, of the masterpiece of the Doves Press which T. J. Cobden-Sanderson regarded as “the purpose of his life”. The edition was limited to 500 copies on paper and 2 on vellum. Commenting on Doves Press publications, Will Ransom states “when it is said that they approach dangerously near to absolute perfection, everything has been said . . . The great red initial ‘I’ that dominates and yet fits exactly the opening page of Genesis in the Doves Bible is a pattern for all time of complexity reduced to the minimum of simplicity”. The Doves Press, 1903–05 “THE HIGHEST PEAK OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ACCOMPLISHMENT”
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Tidcombe notes that foxing appears on the sheets of early volumes of the Bible, “although fortunately not the opening page”. Cobden-Sanderson was asked about this condition issue in 1920 and explained that it was “due to a misadventure in the drying of the sheets long ago, when the Bible was being printed” (see Tidcombe, p. 45). “The Doves Bible and the Kelmscott Chaucer stand side by side upon the highest peak of typographical accomplishment, utterly dissimilar yet with the same element of greatness incontestible” (Ransom). Five volumes, large quarto. Original limp vellum by the Doves Bindery with bindery stamp to rear pastedowns, lettering to spines in gilt. Doves type printed in black with red initial letters by Edward Johnston, on handmade paper. Booklabel on front pastedowns. Usual light variation to vellum, occasional foxing, some browning at hinges of vol. 3, but remarkably clean and crisp throughout. A fine set. ¶ Ransom, p. 56; Tidcombe DP6. £22,500 [153753]
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All items are fully described and photographed at peterharrington.co.uk
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