Source For Shakespeare's History Plays: Polydorii Vergilii Urbinatis Anglicae Historiae Libri Vigintiseptem Vergil, Polydore (C.1470-1555) 16Th And 17Th Century Books,Antiquarian Classics And Renaissance,Incunabula And Fine Bindings

First edition thus (the first to include coverage of the reign of Henry VIII to 1538); folio; [2], 691, [39]pp. In mid-sixteenth century blind-panelled calf with blind arabesque to centre of each board (professionally respined and with corners repaired). Title with woodcut printer's device and early manuscript annotations and markings (title repaired, re-attached at gutter, with light creasing and soiling), decorative woodcut initials and borders to leaves a2 and a3, woodcut printer's device to reverse of final leaf, early marginal annotations and underlinings throughout volume, first few leaves lightly frayed to margins, small closed tear at foot of leaf H6, occasional unobtrusive damp stains to margins of a few leaves. First published in 1534, Polydore Vergil's history was a source for chroniclers Edward Hall and Raphael Holinshed, consequently influencing Shakespeare's history plays, and according to more recent analysis, potentially exerting more direct influence on Shakespeare's Henry VIII. A very good copy of this significant edition. Adams V448.