Scarce. 1614 M. Derings Workes, by Edward Dering. Imperfect copy, sold as-is

This is referred to, by the Dictionary of National Biography, as the "best collected edition" of Edward Dering, the 16th century preacher. The book was executed at the behest of Jaggard and Blount, who shortly thereafter published Shakespeare's First Folio.

This is a scarce work. At the time of listing, searching Vialibri for Dering books printed before 1699 produces no active on-the-market results of books for sale (the preacher, there are a few results for the later 17th century nobleman Dering).

NOTE - see condition notes below, but I will say again here, this copy is missing leaves from the third part.

About Edward Dering -

Dering was something of a firebrand. After preaching an incendiary sermon to the Queen Elizabeth, in 1570, he was put on the backburner, in terms of position in the church.

But he, himself, continued to advocate passionately for Christianity and strict moral values. He fought fights that we see today in the most extreme; for example, he passionately fought against statues at Cambridge because the men were not of high enough moral virtue. He also called out the church (clergy) and the entertainment industry (more on that later).

While it'd difficult to say who was in the "right", Dering was well respected; one of his foes called him one of the most learned of men in the midst of their dispute. Because of his highly conservative viewpoints, he is well-regarded among the Puritans, who consider him something of a church father.

For a great, extensive biography of Edward Dering, see the book (available scanned online, for free), Athenae Cantabrigienses, Vol. 1, by Cooper and Cooper (page 354, 1858).

About This Copy -

As noted earlier, this edition was produced by a partnership including Jaggard and Blount, whose names can be found on the first and third title page. Just after the turn of the (20th) century, a William Jaggard started the Shakespeare press in Stratford-upon-Avon; it isn't proven that the two Jaggards are related.

This copy wears the second Jaggard's ex-libris, which he took from the first Jaggard's printer's mark, so we can expect that he believed he was a descendent.

The third part of Dering's Workes has been bound first. At the rear of the third parts title page is an indictment against the morality of Dering's contemporary authors. Obviously, this would have been of interest to the second Jaggard, in consideration of his printing press namesake and perceived lineage. It is highly likely that this book was restored/rebound in this manner for the second Jaggard.

Bibliographic Details -

Universal Short Title Catalogue (USTC) number 3006012. 16 copies recorded. In the U.S., the four copies are held at the Boston Athenaeum, Houghton Library Harvard, Yale University Beinecke Library and the Folger Shakespeare Library (rather illustrious homes).

English Short Title Catalogue number S115777.

Physical Attributes -

Measures approx. 20 x 15 x 4 cm. Vellum binding (restored). Title on spine in an old hand. Red and white endbands. Refreshed green endpapers. Parts bound out-of-order. Title pages for parts three and one.

Collation (not calling out missing leaves noted below) -

Part 3 - A-M8, N4

Part 2 - A-C8, D4, E2

Part 1 - A2, *4, A-Z8, Aa-Cc8

Condition -

Note - Missing 21 leaves from the third part.

See pictures. Obviously restored binding, with an underlay of fresh vellum under the (contemporary?) vellum; but rebinding likely circa 1900 for Jaggard. Title on spine in an "old hand". Text bock worn with a few noticeably proud pages. Fresh endpapers, ex-libris of Jaggard bookseller to front pastedown. Extensive bookseller notes to the blank bookbinder endpapers in front.

Book is bound out-of-order. The third part is bound first, the middle is still in the middle, and the first part is bound at the rear of the album. Pages are toned, with occasional thumbing, candle ember burns, page edge chips, fox spots, dog-eared corners, etc. One gathering is loose at gutter. The third part is missing the leaves A2-5, D1-7, K4-8, L1-2, L5 and L7-8. D8 and E1 of third part with a 2" burn hole.