George. Ignoramus, comoedia coram regia maiestate Jacobi regis anliae etc.

by RUGGLE

£1,250 · Offered by Henry Sotheran Ltd

RUGGLE, George Ignoramus, comoedia coram regia maiestate Jacobi regis anliae etc. London: [Thomas Purfoot for] I. S[pencer]. 1630 12mo. Contemporary English sheep, spine gilt-ruled in compartments, boards filleted in gilt with gilt floral centrepiece, preserved in a modern clamshell book-form burgundy morocco box (upper cover lettered ‘Phillip C. Broughton | 21.9.80’ in gilt; pp. [iv], 187, [1], with copper-engraved frontispiece depicting the titular Ignoramus; typographic headpieces, woodcut and typographic head- and tailpieces, woodcut labore et constantia device to title; somewhat rubbed and worn, a few slight abrasions to upper board, small loss to headcap; gift inscription in violet pencil to front free endpaper dated 2 October 1882, contemporary ownership inscription to title, ‘?J Nicholls’, contemporary annotation to rear free endpaper and pastedown (see below); a very good copy. First edition of the celebrated early Stuart Cambridge comedy, ‘by some distance the most successful of all the university plays’ (D. K. Money). The literary reputation of George Ruggle (bap. 1575, d. 1621/2), Latin playwright and fellow of Clare College, Cambridge, rests on this virtuoso college farce, which was performed to great success at Trinity College during James I’s visitation in March 1615. The production was staged at considerable expense, with seating fitted in the hall to accommodate a large audience of courtiers and academics, reportedly as many as two thousand people. The contem

• Binding: Hardcover

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