Jacobus de Voragine | The Legend Named in Latyn Legenda Aurea... translated by William Caxton, 1527

Jacobus de Voragine

The Legende Named in Latyn Legenda Aurea that is to saye in Englysshe the Golden Legende. Translated by William Caxton. [London: Wynkun de Worde, 1527]

Folio (288 x 190 mm), 417 leaves (only, of 438), gothic type, 46 lines, double column, numerous in-text woodcut illustrations, modern maroon morocco with de Worde's device in gilt on covers, gilt edges, wants 21 leaves, some margins repaired or renewed (affecting text in some instances)

Tenth edition in English (the seventh printed by de Worde) of an important manual of ecclesiastical lore. This work first appeared in 1472-4, with Caxton's English edition appearing in 1483. The first edition printed by de Worde (Caxton's successor) appeared in 1493.

PROVENANCE;

Wilfred Merton (1889-1957), collector of Greek papyri: bookplate; Christie's New York, 31 January 2002, lot 131

LITERATURE:

STC 24880