*.* One of the most interesting specimens of Caxton’s press.  No other perfect copy, I believe, has occurred for sale.  The Aleborne copy, (imperfect, wanting the Epitaph upon Chaucer, WHICH IS REPRINTED IN SOME EDITIONS OF HIS WORKS, and other leaves,) sold for 53l. 11s.  It is one of the earliest productions of the father of the English press, and claims a very great additional interest from being translated by the Poet Chaucer.  CAXTON gives us the following reasons that induced Chaucer to translate, and himself to print it:—­“Forasmoche as the stile of it is harde, and difficile to be understoode of simple persones, therefore the worshipful Fader and first founder and embelisher of ornate eloquence in our English, I mene Maister Geffrey Chaucer, hath translated it out of Latyn, as neygh as is possible to be understande; wherin, in myne oppynon, he hath deserved a perpetual lawde and thanke of al this noble Royame of England.  Thenne, forasmoche as this sayd boke so translated is rare, and not spred ne knowen as it is digne and worthy for the erudicion of such as ben ignoraunte, atte requeste of a singuler frend and gossop of myne, I, William Caxton, have done my devoir temprynte it in fourme as is hereafore made.”

3653 FOX (EDWARD) BISHOP OF HEREFORD, True Dyfferens Between ye Regall Power and the Ecclesiasticall Power, translated out of Latyn by Henry Lord Stafforde, and dedicated by him to the Protector Somerset, black letter, 8vo. fine copy, morocco, gilt edges, EXTREMELY RARE, 6l. 6s.

Imprinted at the sign of the Rose Garland, by W. Copland, n.d.

*.* This extraordinarily rare volume was written by Edward Fox, Bishop of Hereford, according to Strype and Leland—­see the latter’s encomium upon it.  Lord Herbert supposed it to have been written by King Henry VIII.  It is one of the most interesting and rare volumes relative to church history.  The noble translator states that it was lent him by his friend Master Morison, and finding the difference between the power regal and ecclesiastical so plainly set out, and so purely explained, that rather than his countrie should be utterly frustrated of so great fruyte as myght growe by redynge thereof, I thought it well-bestowed labour to turn it into Englishe.

3318 LANE (JOHN) TOM TEL-TROTH’S MESSAGE AND HIS PEN’S COMPLAINT, a worke not unpleasant to be read, nor unprofitable to be followed, IN VERSE, dedicated to George Dowse, 4to. remarkably fine copy, UNCUT, morocco elegant, gilt edges, EXCESSIVELY RARE IF NOT UNIQUE, 10l. 10s.

Imprinted for R. Howell, 1600.

*.* This curious poem, consisting of 120 verses of six lines each, is of such EXTRAORDINARY RARITY, AS TO HAVE ESCAPED THE RESEARCHES OF ALL BIBLIOGRAPHERS.  The author is styled by Phillips, in his Theatrum Poetarum, as that “fine old Queen Elizabeth’s gentleman,” and is ranked in the class of poets next to Spenser.  The present volume acquires an additional interest from being the first production of the Author, which is thus expressed in the dedication:  “These first fruites of my barren braine, the token of my love, the seale of my affection, and the true cognizance of my unfained affection,” &c.