| Method | Copper engraving |
| Artist | Crispijn van de Passe the Elder |
| Published | London, Printed by Augustine Mathewes, 1634. |
| Dimensions | Image 94 mm circular each, Sheet 298 x 175 mm |
| Notes |
Pages 167-168, Book 3 from A Collection of Emblems Ancient and Moderne: Quickened with Metricall Illustrations; And disposed into Lotteries, both Morall and Divine. That Istruction and Good Counsell, may be furthered by an Honest and Pleasant Recreation. by George Wither. Each page with an emblem in a circle with latin text in the boarder with English title above and a verse below. In 1635, George Wither was employed by Henry Taunton to create a book of emblems using from plates originally engraved by Crispijn van de Passe the elder for Gabriel Rollenhagen's Nucleus emblematum selectisslimorum (Arnheim, 1611) and Emblematum centuria secunda (Arnheim, 1613) (Folger Shakespeare Library). The book consists of four parts, each containing 50 "emblemes," which were exhortations in prose by Wither on various aspects of living a good and moral life. Each emblem (one per page) was printed beneath a detailed intaglio illustration. At the publisher's request, Wither created a game ("recreation") that pointed readers first to one of the four books, and then to a specific emblem. This was done by using two volvelles with spinning pointers, printed on one page and bound into the back of each copy (sounds like something from a Hodgson/Cohen book...). Wither also provided instructions for how to play the lottery. Not surprisingly, most existing copies of the book lack the volvelle, which probably often was torn out for use. The only perfect copy of this book is in the British Museum. George Wither (11 June 1588 – 2 May 1667) was an English poet, pamphleteer, and satirist. Condition: paper loss to one side in to plate affecting the printed board but not the text. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £130.00 |
| Stock ID | 31020 |