Calvin, John

Folio (10 7/x 7 1/4 in.; 275 x 184 mm). Gothic letter (with roman and italic). Woodcut printer's device on title-page (McKerrow 119), white-on-black criblé and other woodcut initials, with blank Mm6; title-page and final leaf torn at top inner margin, fore-edge of title slightly frayed, single marginal wormhole running from title to ²E6, a few wormholes at end, one touching text of last 8 or 9 quires, occasional light dampstaining, a few marginal tears. Eighteenth-century panelled calf,plain endpapers, red sprinkled edges; rubbed, skillfully rebacked preserving original spine.

George Goyder (1909–1997, businessman and book collector; bookplate). acquisition: Bernard Quaritch, 1979

STC 4415; ESTC S107154

Folio (10 7/x 7 1/4 in.; 275 x 184 mm). Gothic letter (with roman and italic). Woodcut printer's device on title-page (McKerrow 119), white-on-black criblé and other woodcut initials, with blank Mm6; title-page and final leaf torn at top inner margin, fore-edge of title slightly frayed, single marginal wormhole running from title to 2E6, a few wormholes at end, one touching text of last 8 or 9 quires, occasional light dampstaining, a few marginal tears. Eighteenth-century panelled calf,plain endpapers, red sprinkled edges; rubbed, skillfully rebacked preserving original spine.
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.

First edition in English of the most important doctrinal work of the Reformation, translated by Thomas Norton. The second and fourth books begin separate foliation and register; according to STC, Wolfe printed the preliminaries and the sheets with foliation in the margins, while Harison printed the sheets with foliation above the text." A very good copy of an increasingly uncommon book.