Lot 61
  • 61

Heywood, Thomas

Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 USD
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Description

  • paper
[Graece] Gynaikeion: or, Nine Bookes of Various History Concerninge Women; Inscribed by ye names of ye Nine Muses. London: Printed by Adam Islip, 1624

Large 8vo (11 1/4 x 7 in.; 285 x 178 mm). Engraved title with portraits of the nine muses, woodcut head- and tail-pieces; lacking first and last blank leaves, some marginal soiling to title, a few small marginal dampstains, minor spotting on page 361 and a few other places. 18th-century mottled calf in a panel design with inlaid leather frame, blind-tooled, spine gilt in compartments with gilt-stamped red leather title label; joints mended yet cracked, corners torn, scuffed.

Provenance

Duke of Fife (Skene Library engraved armorial bookplate) — Christie's New York, 18 November 1988, lot 174 (unnamed consignor)

Literature

STC 13326; Grolier / Langland to Wither 142

Condition

lacking first and last blank leaves, some marginal soiling to title, a few small marginal dampstains, minor spotting on page 361 and a few other places. 18th-century mottled calf in a panel design with inlaid leather frame, blind-tooled, spine gilt in compartments with gilt-stamped red leather title label; joints mended yet cracked, corners torn, scuffed.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

First edition. In 1624 the popular playwright Thomas Heywood (c. 1573-1641) ended a long literary silence (possibly due to the troubles of his acting company), with the present work celebrating strong women throughout history, from mythological goddesses to earthly leaders such as Queen Elizabeth and Queen Anne, both of whom he praises highly. In the dedication to his former patron the Earl of Worcester, Heywood implies that he has had financial difficulties, and in the Latin colophon he claims that the book was conceived, written, and published within seventeen weeks. Some of the book is recycled from Heywood's earlier writing, but it also draws on a wide variety of other sources.