An important 1814 facsimile imprint of the original 1584 edition of King James' poetic works, originally published in Edinburgh by Thomas Vautroullier. An exceptionally limited edition of 150 examples, per an advert in The Monthly Magazine, August 1814.
The facsimile was taken from the exceptionally rare original owned by R. P. Gillies. Not only a beautiful and rare production, but it also provides valuable insight into the literary tastes and high view of language and Scripture embedded in King James, views which led to his commission of the most influential translation of the Scripture ever accomplished.
Poems are largely in English, Old English, and Scots with a few examples in Latin and French. Offered at auction but once in the last 50 years, where it fetched $1,000.00.
[King James] Gillies, R. P. The Essayes of a Prentise, in the Divine Art of Poesie. With a Prefatory Memoir, by R. P. Gillies, Esq., F. S. A. E. Edinburgh. Printed by James Ballantyne and Co. 1814. Unpaginated. 120pp.
[From]
[King James]. The Essayes of a Prentise, in the Divine Art of Poesie. Imprinted at Edinbrugh, by Thomas Vautroullier. 1584. Unpaginated. 120pp.
A very good copy, bound in half leather. A bit rubbed as shown; generally solid with pages bright; lightly handled at prelims.
King James Version, KJV1611
