William John Loftie

“ Wood engraving, again, is apparently descended from a still more ancient art, that of block printing—the exact origin of which cannot be traced. It is not long since some small dies for printing the names of various medicines were exhibited to the Archæological Institute, as having been found among the remains of a Roman villa at Lydney, in Gloucestershire, and many similar examples might be quoted. ”

“ Hessels that they may with equal probability be assigned to Nicholas Bechtermüntze, who is known to have printed at Eltvill, near Mentz, at least as early as 1467, in which year one of his books is dated. The type is generally described as that of the Catholicon of 1460, a book usually assumed to be Gutenberg's; but here again the evidence is too vague to amount to proof.
The introduction of printing into England is, next after its invention in Germany, the most interesting event to us. Here again, however, difficulties beset us at every step. Where and from whom did Caxton learn his art? ”

“ He printed at Bruges, under the patronage of the Duchess of Burgundy, the sister of our King Edward IV. The first book Caxton printed was probably the "Recuyell of the Histories of Troye," 1474. The first book he printed in England was probably the "Dictes and Sayings of the Philosophers," 1477, although the honour is often given to the "Game and Play of the Chesse, morlised," 1474–5. A copy of the former book, but of a later edition, was in the Loan Collection, as well as a copy of the Chess-book. ”

“ Robert Redman: began to print in 1523: his quarrel with Pynson is a curious episode in the history of printing. Redman is worthy of notice as the first English printer who published any part of the Bible in the vernacular: a further account of his works will be found under the heading of "Bibles." He died in 1540.
222. A work of preparation or ordinance unto Com̄union. 24mo. 1531—The Rev. J. Fuller Russell.
223. Wycliffe's Consolation for Troubled Consciences: almost unique. A copy is mentioned in Maitland's "Lambeth Library," p. 238: formerly in the collection of Mr. James Dix. 16mo. ”

“ No catchwords, signatures, or page numbers; 16 leaves, capitals rubricated. 4to. Cir. 1460 —The Rev. J. Fuller Russell.
7. Determinacō duarū subjectarū questionu Sifridi Ep'i Ciren'. From the Sussex library; one other copy known: same type as the three foregoing, 26 leaves, no catchwords, &c., 28 lines to a page, capitals rubricated. 4to. Cir. 1460—The Rev. J. Fuller Russell.
8. Directorium Humanæ Vitæ alias Parabole Antiquarū Sapientiū. Same type as foregoing; no printer's name, place, or date; no catchwords, page numbers, or signatures. 4to. Cir. 1460—The Rev. J. Fuller Russell. ”

“ U erse yokd by eight: Christe's rising day: doth figure them in some,
S weete Saboth rest: not here I say: I meane of world to come.
P eruse this Psalme: so wide and brode: each verso save one is freight,
A s still in termes: of law of God: most ofte by voyces eyght. ”

“ Vitas Patrum, or the lyves of the olde auncient holy faders hermytes, translated by the blessyd Saynt Jerome out of Greke into Latyn, Latyn into Frenshe, and after reduced into Englyshe by Willyam Caxton late deed. Very fine and perfect copy. Woodcuts. Folio. Westminster, 1495—The Rev. J. Fuller Russell.
176. Dives et Pauper. Second edition. See Pynson. Folio. ”

“ This printer is said to have invented a method of using gold ink in printing. He flourished at Augsburg after 1487.
44. Missal; formerly belonging to the monastery at Erfurt. Augsburg, cir. 1500—Mr. Octavius Morgan, M.P.
Printer unknown.
45. Rationarium Evangelistarum . . . prosa versu imaginibusque, que mirifice complectens, &c. Woodcuts. 4to. 1507—Mr. Addington.
For an account of this most curious book see Dibdin, Bibliographical Decameron, vol. i. p. 131. There was an earlier edition, 1502: a later one, 1522, is assigned by Panzer to Thomas Anshelm, of Haguenau. ”

“ Wochenlich Andacht, zu seligkeit der weltlichen menschen. Woodcuts, Coloured, accompanied by manuscript; on vellum, 33 pages, 69 cuts, several having xylographic legends or inscriptions. Folio. Ulm or Augsberg, cir. 1450—Mr. Quaritch.
2. Apocalypsis cum Figuris: coloured woodcuts, paper. Folio, 48 leaves. From the Corser Collection, bought from the Stowe library for £550. Sotheby calls this in his Principia Typographia the 5th edition. Cir. ”

“ See Cotton, p. 306; also Anderson, and other historians of the English Bible. This copy is made up with fac-simile leaves.
250. Testament of Moyses with Prayers of Holy Fathers, &c. 16mo. London: Robert Redman. Cir. 1532—Mr. Addington.
One other copy is known: in the Lambeth Library. The first portion of WyclifFe's translation printed.
251. Biblia. The Bible, that is the Holy Scripture, &c. Folio, 1535.
Coverdale's version. Printed abroad; the exact place unascertained, but probably in part at Zurich, by Froschover. No perfect copy is known. ”

“ Imperfect, wanting last nine leaves: five copies known; only one perfect: second edition. Folio. Westminster (1491) —Mr. Addington.
Wynkyn de Worde: b. ———, d. 1534. Caxton's chief workman and successor, naturalised in 1496. He commenced to print on his own account in 1494, or possibly a year earlier; his first works are therefore of later date than those of Machlinia and others who printed by themselves in Caxton's lifetime. He lies buried in the church of St. ”

“ Their works are very scarce.
138. S. Thomæ de Aquino, Prima Pars secundæ partis Summæ Theologiæ; on vellum, with 110 initial letters beautifully iliuminated. Small folio. Venice, 1478—Mr. Addington.
This book does not occur in M. van Praet's list of books printed on vellum. It is in the finest condition, with wide margins, in the original oak boards covered with stamped leather. Mattheus Moravus: commenced printing in 1474.
139. Senecæ opera onmia; first edition, extremely rare; slightly imperfect, but with the missing parts restored in fac-simile. Folio. ”