HIGDEN, Ranulph (c.1280-1364). Polycronycon. [Southwark: Peter Treveris, 1527.]

HIGDEN, Ranulph (c.1280-1364). Polycronycon. [Southwark: Peter Treveris, 1527.]

The first illustrated edition of this "cornerstone of English prose" (Pforzheimer). The final chapter, bringing history up to the year 1460, was written by the great English printer William Caxton, and is “the single work of importance of which the authorship can be traced to [him]” (Blades). Pforzheimer 490; STC (2nd ed.), 13440.

Folio (283 x 182mm). Title printed in red and black with woodcut of Saint George, woodcut illustrations, woodcut initials (lacking colophon leaf, wormed, some spotting and dampstaining, some short marginal tears, marginalia cropped, tear from upper corner of title). 17th-century paneled calf (rebacked, wear to corners). Provenance: William Herbert (signature dated 1770) – George Rose (1782-1873, English judge; armorial bookplate).