The Life of Erasmus

by John Jortin

$1,200 · Offered by Biblio

First edition

London: J. Whiston and B. White, 1758. First Edition. VG. The Life of Erasmus by John Jortin (2 Volumes) Author: John Jortin Title: The Life of Erasmus Publisher: London: Printed for J. Whiston and B. White, in Fleet-Street Publication Year: 1758 (MDCCLVIII) Format: Quarto (4to) First Edition Binding & Condition Binding: The volumes are bound in full leather featuring raised bands on the spines. Volume I retains its decorative black and gilt spine label, while new labels have been applied to the spine of Volume II. Interior Condition: The pages remain highly legible and display only light, sporadic foxing throughout the text block. Illustrations: The first volume opens with a handsome fold-out frontispiece portrait of Desiderius Erasmus. Additionally, the set includes fold-out plates containing "Specimens of HAND-WRITING," which feature facsimiles from historical figures such as Thomas More. Provenance Bookplates: The inner front board features a heraldic bookplate belonging to "Lavington," depicting a dragon crest. Library Label: A printed label on the pastedown indicates the books are "FROM THE WILBERFORCE LIBRARY BACKSETTOWN". The Wilberforce & Backsettown Connection The "Wilberforce Library / Backsettown" label indicates that these volumes were part of the personal library of Dr. Octavia Wilberforce (1888-1963), a pioneering English physician and suffragette. She was the great-granddaughter of the famous abolitionist William Wilberforce. Alongside the American actress and

• Publisher: J. Whiston and B. White
• Year: 1758
• Edition: First Edition
• Binding: unknown

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