Henry VIII, King of England

3 parts in one volume, 4to (9 x 8 1/4 in.; 229 zx 148 mm). Titles to parts 2 (Assertio septem sacramentorum aduersus Martin. Lutherum [a]1r), and 3 (Epistola regia; 2a1r) within a fine historiated woodcut border signed HH and attributed to Hans Holbein (McKerrow & Ferguson 8), general title (A1r) and pages C1r, and C3v within a fine historiated woodcut border (McKerrow and Ferguson 11), B4r within woodcut border (McKerrow and Ferguson 7), 7 handsome white-on-black woodcut initials, with blank v4; lacking bbalns C4, v4, and 2b4, repaired tear on P4, lightly washed. Modern red morocco by J. P. Gray, Cambridge.

Hatfield House Library (stamp on title-page) — Lloyd Tyrell-Kenyon, fifth Baron Kenyon (1917–1993; morocco label) Louis H. Silver (1902–1963, Chicago bibliophile; morocco label; sold, with the rest of his library to — The Newberry Library, Chicago (Sotheby’s London, 8 November 1965, lot 151). acquisition: purchased at the foregoing auction through John Fleming 

STC 13083; ESTC S110238

3 parts in one volume, 4to (9 x 8 1/4 in.; 229 zx 148 mm). Titles to parts 2 (Assertio septem sacramentorum aduersus Martin. Lutherum [a]1r), and 3 (Epistola regia; 2a1r) within a fine historiated woodcut border signed HH and attributed to Hans Holbein (McKerrow & Ferguson 8), general title (A1r) and pages C1r, and C3v within a fine historiated woodcut border (McKerrow and Ferguson 11), B4r within woodcut border (McKerrow and Ferguson 7), 7 handsome white-on-black woodcut initials, with blank v4; lacking bbalns C4, v4, and 2b4, repaired tear on P4, lightly washed. Modern red morocco.
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. Henry's "Defense of the Seven Sacraments" against the challenge of Martin Luther was "one of the most successful pieces of Catholic polemics produced by the first generation of anti-Protestant writers," going through some twenty editions in the sixteenth century (Scarisbrick, Henry VIII, 1997, p. 113). The "Defense" was dedicated to Pope Leo X, who subsequently awarded Henry the title Defender of the Faith.

Part 2 is a reissue of STC 13078. Imprint information is from part 2; parts 1 and 3 have no colophon. In part 1 (STC 21307a is part of this) the bull naming Henry "fidei defensor" is dated 5 id Oct. 1521, so this part was printed sometime later. Part 3 was apparently not written until March 1522, and it seems possible that parts 1 and 2 were made available before part 3 was printed. Very rare: evidently no complete copy has appeared at auction since the present copy was sold in 1965.