Lot 521
Elyot, Sir Thomas
Rare Books, Manuscripts & Photographs
Auction: Rare Books, Manuscripts & Photographss | 10 May 2007
Description
The Boke named the Governour … London: [Thomas Berthelet], 1553. Small 8vo., title-page within woodcut border, woodcut initials, Black Letter, 19th century calf, edges rubbed, title-page a little dusty with some inked inscriptions (as also the verso of the last leaf), library stamp on verso, small hole at inner margin of last leaf (no loss)
Footnote
Note: STC 7639
"Elyot received little reward for his services to the state, but his scholarship and his books were held in high esteem by his contemporaries. The Boke named the Governour was printed by Thomas Berthelet (1531, 1534, 1536, 1544, etc.). It is a treatise on moral philosophy, intended to direct the education of those destined to fill high positions, and to inculcate those moral principles which alone could fit them for the performance of their duties. The subject was a favourite one in the 16th century, and the book, which contained many citations from classical authors, was very popular. Elyot expressly acknowledges his obligations to Erasmus's Institutio Principis Christiani but he makes no reference to the De regno et regis institutione of Francesco Patrizzi (d. 1494), bishop of Gaeta, on which his work was undoubtedly modelled [sic]." (Wikipedia)