Palsgrave, John.

First edition, folio (273 x 195mm.), black letter and roman type, woodcut initials, contemporary boards, lacking 33 leaves in total (quires A^{6 B4 C8 and [2]A6; leaves K6, AA5-6, HH1 & 6, SSS6, [3]N1, [rum]4 & 6), small hole in [3]X2 with slight loss, some staining, a few marginal tears or paper flaws, some leaves or quires detached, lacking board covering}; sold not subject to return

Fortunatus Bartoll, early inscriptions including a curse upon any potential thief (on AAA1 verso); "Sum higgini et amicorum", "IH", early inscriptions on inside back cover (perhaps John Higgins, linguist and poet, c.1544-1602); Charles Jones, Long Island, paper label on upper cover (probably nineteenth-century)

STC 19166

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

John Palsgrave (d. 1554) was tutor to Princess Mary, the sister of Henry VIII. His appointment did not survive her marriage to Louis XII of France, but he was known to Thomas More (and Erasmus, whom he met in Louvain in 1516), and through More became tutor to Henry VIII's illegitimate son Henry Fitzroy; he also taught the sons of Thomas Cromwell and the Duke of Norfolk.

This detailed introduction to the French language is the first french grammar and the first french-english dictionary. "The comprehensiveness of the volume - both the grammar and the lexicon of French are meticulously described - makes it a unique treasure trove for the beginnings of French lexicology, lexicography, and grammar writing" (Gabriele Stein, Oxford DNB). The text is helpfully presented with black letter type for the English words and roman for the French, for ease of use. Rare: we have found no auction records for this work.