This is the first instance of the use of spangles
on a velvet book. The back is tastefully ornamented with gold cord
arranged diamond-wise, and having in each diamond a flower worked in
gold.
Parker, _De antiquitate Ecclesiae Britannicae_. London, 1572.
This is one of the embroidered books that belonged to Queen Elizabeth,
and has been frequently illustrated and described. It is remarkable in
other respects than for its binding, as it is one of a number of
probably not more than twenty copies of a work by Matthew Parker,
Archbishop of Canterbury, _De antiquitate Ecclesiae Britannicae_, printed
for him by John Day in London, 1572. It was the first instance of a
privately printed book being issued in England.
[Illustration: 21--Parker, De antiquitate Ecclesiae Britannicae.
London, 1572.]
Archbishop Parker had a private press, and his books were printed with
types cast at his own cost, John Day being sometimes employed as his
workman. No two copies of this particular work are alike, and it is
supposed that the Archbishop continually altered the sheets as they came
from the press and had the changes effected at once. The book has two
title-pages, each of which, as well as a leaf containing the arms of
the Bishops in vellum, the ornamental borders, and coats-of-arms
throughout the book, are emblazoned in gold and colours.
Pages:
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
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