Novum Testamentum, Theodoro Beza interprete. Londini, Excudebat Thomas Vautrollerius, Typographus MDLXXIX.
The New Testament, translated into Latin by Theo. Beza and printed by Thomas Vautrollier. Published in London in 1579.
A VERY RARE EARLY LATIN NEW TESTAMENT PRINTED IN ENGLAND, PRECEDING THE FIRST COMPLETE LATIN BIBLE PRINTED IN ENGLAND WHICH WAS PUBLISHED ONE YEAR LATER IN 1580. COMPLETE IN ITS BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL FULL VELLUM BINDING!
-------------------
The binding of this fantastic early edition is of particular note for being in its original binding, even retaining some of the original gilt to the boards and spine which is incredibly scarce to find for bindings of this age.
Thomas Vautrollier was one of the most highly thought of printers in London at the time. He was notably associated with the printing of works of Protestant theology including John Calvin's Institutes and a Latin version of the Book of Common Prayer. He also printed Ovid, Cicero, and other standard classical authors whose works were in demand as schoolbooks.
Most interestingly, in 1579, Richard Field from Stratford-upon-Avon, a schoolfellow of William Shakespeare, was apprenticed to Vautrollier. Field took over Vautrollier's printing after his death in 1587. However, it is speculated that given the known connection between Richard Field and William Shakespeare (Field first printed two of Shakespeare's plays in London), Shakespeare himself may have been witness to this copy of the New Testament as it is highly likely Shakespeare visited Field multiple times, starting around the time of the printing of this book and was a somewhat regular visitor to Vautrollier/Field and their library at the press in London. This is where Shakespeare is known to have encountered works by Ovid and Cicero, Holinshed's Chronicles, etc. These were used as source books for Shakespeare's plays, including Hamlet. Nevertheless, the press from which this book originates is certainly of interest!
-------------------
Size: 115 x 160 x 45 mm (approx.)
Condition:
Spine with some commensurate discolouration and loss to gilt but retaining some. Title in an early hand to the spine reading 'novum testamentum Beza'. Very minor wear to extremities. Some deformation to vellum boards as typical, lacking original ties but with (probably) original joint ties. Some gilt preserved to boards. Lacks pastedowns if called for (?). No blanks present if called for. Text block collates as complete in 418 numbered pp with the final unnumbered leaf with the T.V. printing device. Title page trimmed at border with a small amount of loss to printed text, touching a few letters. Binding separated from text block as typical but with the majority of the binding strings preserved, damage to headcap. Handwritten text in an early Latin hand, probably very near publication, to the reverso of the title page and colophon. Colophon with a scored out ownership inscription of Johannes Salwey. Colophon with the bottom right corner torn. Text block mildly toned but in excellent condition, significantly better than typically found.
