UNWIN BROTHERS, THE GRESHAM PRESS, CHILWORTH AND LONDON.
The OLD SERIES
ill represent the following classes of books:—
| a | Early printed translations from the Classics, as those by J. Heywood, T. Phaer, R. Stanyhurst, A. Golding, T. May, and others: or from the Continental literatures of their times. |
| b | Romances, “histories,” satires, epigrams, “love pamphlets,” poems, and other pieces by R. Braithwaite; N. Breton; T. Campion, M.D.; H. Chettle; T. Churchyard; S. Daniel; F. Davison; M. Drayton; T. Decker; G. Gascoigne; S. Hawes; T. Lodge, M.D.; A. Munday; W. Painter; G. Pettie; B. Rich; S. Rowlands; J. Taylor, the “Water Poet;” W. Warner; and others. Some of these productions are the ground works of Shakespeare’s plays. |
| c | Some quaint sermons or other characteristic books by Puritans: together with some 20 or 25 tracts of the Martin Marprelate Controversy: 1588-1590 A.D. A complete set of the original editions of these “laughing libels” now about to be reproduced would fetch from £200 to £250; as many of them were secretly printed at John Penry’s wandering press, and are now of extraordinary scarcity. |
| d | A brief Selection from the earlier and later Drama down to the time of Dryden: not forgetting the annual pageants of the Lord Mayor on the 29th of October, the Court Revels, and the Masks at the Inns of Court. Also some books attacking or defending the Stage. |
| e | Remarkable books like Sir T. Elyot’s Governor; Sir T. Wilson’s Rhetoric and Logic: The Mirror for Magistrates; J. Howell’s Epistolæ Ho Elianæ; Colonel S. Allen’s Killing no Murder; W. Bradford’s Of New Plimouth; W. Thomas’ Historie of Italie; J. Lambard’s Perambulation of Kent; Bp. J. Jewell’s Apologie; Sir T. Smith’s Commonwealth of England; and also books remarkable as being the first produced in any country. |
| f | The Controversy with Rome in the first phase of the English Reformation; as represented by the works of W. Tyndale; Sir T. More; C. Saint German; R. Barnes; J. Rastell; G. Joye; and others. To be printed from the contemporary editions. |
| g | “Characters,” “Essays,” and other pieces photographing the “humours” of their time. |
| h | The Quarrels of Authors; and notably that between Dr. Gabriel Harvey and Tom Nash. |
| i | Strange travels; like Lithgow’s Peregrination and Coryat’s Crudities. |
| j | A few philosophical books: like Sir J. Eliot’s Monarchie of Man; J. Hale’s Golden Remains; T. Hobbe’s Leviathan; and Bishop J. Wilkin’s Real Character. |
| k | Some “Emblem” books; if their text and illustrations can by photogravure or any like process be reproduced with a satisfactory definition and clearness. |
II. Though not its main intention—this OLD SERIES will comprise the largest number of forbidden or “obnoxious” English books ever brought together. Of which it will represent books burnt by the Romish hierarchy under Henry VIII; Brownist, Puritan, and Martin Marprelate tracts confiscated by Elizabeth’s bishops; free-speech books obnoxious to the ministers of the Stuarts; “Divine right” sermons and other works burnt by the common hangman by order of Parliament; and lastly, works rewarded by the High Commission in the Star Chamber with slit nose, branded face, or cropped ears.
⁂ For further particulars, including issues to date, see current List.