[Langland (William)] The vision of Pierce Plowman, nowe the seconde time imprinted..., Roberte

*** Please note, the description of this lot has changed ***

[Langland (William)] The vision of Pierce Plowman, nowe the seconde time imprinted..., printed in black letter, woodcut initials, lacking final blank, title soiled and little rubbed at head causing a few very small holes (no text loss), first 8 leaves with upper and lower corners torn away with diminishing loss, F1 small paper-flaw hole with loss to few letters, I3 with 2 corrections in ink, light soiling, some light damp-staining to head, the odd stain elsewhere, final few ff. little browned, 18th century marbled calf, spine gilt and with red and green morocco labels (chipped), upper cover detached, some wear to spine ends and corners, little rubbed, lower joint starting, [STC 19907a; cf. Pforzheimer 798, variant], 4to (190 x 130mm.), Roberte Crowley, 1550.

*** Considered one of the greatest works of Middle English literature, Langland's allegory takes the form of a series of dream-visions, providing insight into the medieval conception of the true religious life. This copy is one of two variants of the second edition, the first edition having been published by Crowley in the same year. All three use the so-called "B-text" (one of three different versions of Piers Plowman to survive), a considerably extended version dating from around 1377–79. The two variants are distinguishable by the spelling of "time" (as here) or "tyme" in the title, the former also with the signatures of the preliminary leaves and foliation regularised. "The editions published by Crowley...are of interest and importance equal to that of the manuscripts which have survived" (Pforzheimer).

Provenance: Robert S. Pirie (bookplate to front free endpaper); remains of engraved armorial bookplate to pastedown, owner unclear.